Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 33 (3) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the functions conferred under the provisions of this Constitution upon the Speaker shall, if there is no person holding the office of Speaker or if the Speaker is absent from Samoa or is otherwise unable to perform those functions, be performed by the Deputy Speaker. 51. Clerk of the Legislative Assembly - There shall be a Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. 52. Meetings of the Legislative Assembly - The Legislative Assembly shall meet at such times and at such places as the Head of State appoints from time to time in that behalf by notice published in the Samoa Gazette and recorded in the Savali: PROVIDED THAT the Assembly shall meet not later than 45 days after the holding of a general election and at least once in every year thereafter, so that a period of 12 months shall not intervene between the last sitting of the Assembly in one session and the first sitting thereof in the next session. 53. Standing Orders - Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Legislative Assembly may make, amend and repeal Standing Orders regulating its procedure. 54. Languages - (1) All debates and discussions in the Legislative Assembly shall be conducted in the Samoan language and the English language. (2) The Minutes and the debates of the Legislative Assembly, every bill introduced therein, every paper presented thereto, and all minutes of proceedings, minutes of evidence, and reports of committees of the Assembly shall be in the Samoan language and the English language. 55. Presiding over Legislative Assembly - The Speaker, or in his or her absence the Deputy Speaker, shall preside over sittings of the Legislative Assembly. In the absence from any sitting of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the Members of Parliament present shall choose one of their number (not being a Minister) to preside over that sitting.