Artikel 70: Parliamentary inquiry

Artikel 70

The two Houses shall jointly and separately have the right of inquiry (enquête) to be regulated by Act of Parliament.

In andere talen:

English

The two Houses shall jointly and separately have the right of inquiry (enquête) to be regulated by Act of Parliament.

Français

Les deux Chambres ont, tant séparément que réunies en une seule assemblée, le droit d'enquête, à régler par la loi.

Deutsch

Beide Kammern haben gesondert und in der Vollversammlung das durch Gesetz zu regelnde Enqueterecht.

Español

Ambas Cámaras, tanto por separado como reunidas en sesión conjunta, tienen el derecho de investigación que será regulado por la ley.

Explanation

Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect. 

This article grants both Houses, separately and in Joint Session, the right of inquiry.

The right essentially entails that the House constitutes a committee to investigate a specific subject. That committee has the right to summon persons who must answer the committee's questions under oath.

The House of Representatives has exercised this power several times in recent years. The right is regulated in the Parliamentary Inquiry Act.

The Senate has never exercised this right.