The Mace is the symbol of the authority of the House. The Mace used in Mauritius is a gift of the British House of Commons. On entering and leaving the Chamber - at the beginning and end of the sitting - the Speaker is preceded by the Mace, which is carried by the Serjeant-at-arms on his right shoulder. When the Speaker is in the Chair, that is, when the House is sitting as a House, the Mace lies on the Table of the House, resting in the upper brackets. When the House sits as a committee, that is, when the Speaker leaves the Chair, the Mace is removed into the lower brackets beneath the Table. When the Mace is not in the House, no business can be carried out.