Performance of Prime Minister's functions in certain events

67. 1. Whenever the Prime Minister is unable, by reason of his illness or absence from Barbados, to perform the functions of his office, the Governor General may, by instrument under the Public Seal, authorize any other Minister who is a member of the House of Assembly to perform the functions conferred on the Prime Minister by this Constitution (other than the functions conferred by subsection (3)).

2. The Governor General may, by instrument under the Public Seal, revoke any authority given under this section.

3. The powers conferred on the Governor General by this section shall be exercised by him acting in his discretion if in his opinion it is impracticable to obtain the advice of the Prime Minister owing to the Prime Minister's illness or absence, and in any other case shall be exercised by the Governor General in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.

Temporary Ministers

68. 1. Whenever a Minister other than the Prime Minister is unable, by reason of his illness or absence from Barbados, to perform the functions of his office, the Governor General may, by instrument under the Public Seal, appoint a member of the Senate or the House of Assembly to be a temporary Minister and authorize him to perform the functions of that office:

Provided that this subsection shall have effect in relation to any period between a dissolution of Parliament and the day on which the next election of members of the House of Assembly is held as if Parliament had not been dissolved.

2. Subject to the provisions of section 66(3), a temporary Minister shall hold office until he is notified by the Governor General, by instrument under the Public Seal, that the Minister on account of whose inability to perform the functions of his office he was appointed is again able to perform those functions or until that Minister vacates his office.

3. The powers conferred on the Governor General by this section shall be exercised by him in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.

Oaths to be taken by Ministers

69. The Prime Minister and every other Minister shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take before the Governor General the oath of allegiance and an oath for the due execution of his office in the form set out in the First Schedule.

Presiding in Cabinet

70. The Prime Minister shall, so far as is practicable, attend and preside at all meetings of the Cabinet and in his absence such other Minister shall preside as the Prime Minister shall appoint.