| 释义 |
Privy Council
A body, headed by the President of the Council, that formerly advised the Crown on government policy but has been superseded in that role by the Cabinet. Its functions are now mainly formal (e.g. a few members are summoned to make Orders in Council), but it has limited statutory powers of legislation (see Orders of Council) and it also advises the sovereign, through committees, on certain judicial matters (see Judicial Committee of the Privy Council) and other matters of a nonpolitical nature (e.g. the grant of university charters). There are about 650 Privy Counsellors, who include members of the royal family, all Cabinet ministers, the Speaker and other holders of high nonpolitical office, and persons honoured for public services. A Privy Counsellor is addressed as “Right Honourable”. |