Article XLIX. Both Houses of the Imperial Diet may respectively present addresses to the Emperor.
Article L. Both Houses may receive petitions presented by subjects.
Article LI. Both Houses may enact, besides what is provided for in the present constitution and in the law of the Houses, rules necessary for the management of their internal affairs.
Article LII. No member of either House shall be held responsible outside the respective Houses for any opinion uttered or for any vote given by him in the House. When, however, a member himself has given publicity to his opinions, by public speech, by documents in print, or in writing, or by any other means, he shall, as regards such actions, be amenable to the general law.
Article LIII. The members of both Houses shall, during the session, be free from arrest, unless with the permission of the House, except in cases of flagrant delicts, or of offences connected with civil war or foreign troubles.
Article LIV. The Ministers of State, and persons deputed for that purpose by the Government, may at any time take seats and speak in either House.
CHAPTER IV. THE MINISTERS OF STATE AND THE PRIVY COUNCIL
Article LV. The respective Ministers of State shall give their advice to the Emperor, and be responsible for it.
All laws, public ordinances, and imperial rescripts, of whatever kind, that relate to the affairs of the state, require the counter-signature of a Minister of State.
Article LVI. The Privy Council shall, in accordance with the provisions for the organisation of the Privy Council, deliberate upon the important matters of State, when they have been consulted by the Emperor.