際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

Parliamentary questions in the House of Commons

Download as PPTX, PDF
UK Parliament Outreach and Engagement Service
UK Parliament Outreach and Engagement Service

This document provides information about parliamentary questions in the House of Commons. It notes that in the 2014-15 session, 30,869 written parliamentary questions (PQs) were tabled, with the most going to the Department of Health and the least going to the Wales Office. It states that Members table PQs to seek information, press for action on issues, and follow up on constituency matters. The roles of the Table Office include checking PQs for errors and ensuring they follow parliamentary rules before being tabled.

1 of 10
Download to read offline
Judith Boyce, Senior Clerk, Table Office April 2016 Parliamentary Questions in the House of Commons
Volume of written PQs In the 2014-15 Session, 30,869 written PQs were tabled in the Commons Most: 4,819 to the Department of Health Least: 139 to the Wales Office Most by one Member was 531 In each of the previous two sessions around 44,000 written PQs were tabled
Table Office
Why do Members table PQs? A vital instrument of parliamentary scrutiny To seek information or press for action, e.g.: To gather data and background information for a debate, campaign or frontbench portfolio To follow up a constituency or special interest group issue To get more detail or check progress on something that has been announced or said Other reasons?
Oral vs Written Chosen by random shuffle Limited information sought Opens the door to a supplementary Departmental responsibility crucial Unlimited (except Named Days) May be either open or very detailed
Parliamentary questions in the House of Commons
Parliamentary questions in the House of Commons
The role of the Table Office All PQs are checked by the TO before tabling We are checking: Spelling, sense, obvious errors Style Whether the question is in order according to the Houses rules The TO has authority under the Speaker to make changes Where a change would be significant, we card and seek a conversation with the Member
The rules of order for PQs Must have basis Not seeking info readily available, already provided or blocked Not argumentative or providing info Must engage Ministerial responsibility Must not touch on matters before the courts
Insider knowledge If s/he will indicates a press for action Estimate or assessment What representations s/he has received on and if s/he will make a statement Pattern of answering is very important, esp. for Departmental responsibility and what information Departments make available Fuller answers may forestall further questions

More Related Content

Parliamentary questions in the House of Commons

  • 1. Judith Boyce, Senior Clerk, Table Office April 2016 Parliamentary Questions in the House of Commons
  • 2. Volume of written PQs In the 2014-15 Session, 30,869 written PQs were tabled in the Commons Most: 4,819 to the Department of Health Least: 139 to the Wales Office Most by one Member was 531 In each of the previous two sessions around 44,000 written PQs were tabled
  • 4. Why do Members table PQs? A vital instrument of parliamentary scrutiny To seek information or press for action, e.g.: To gather data and background information for a debate, campaign or frontbench portfolio To follow up a constituency or special interest group issue To get more detail or check progress on something that has been announced or said Other reasons?
  • 5. Oral vs Written Chosen by random shuffle Limited information sought Opens the door to a supplementary Departmental responsibility crucial Unlimited (except Named Days) May be either open or very detailed
  • 8. The role of the Table Office All PQs are checked by the TO before tabling We are checking: Spelling, sense, obvious errors Style Whether the question is in order according to the Houses rules The TO has authority under the Speaker to make changes Where a change would be significant, we card and seek a conversation with the Member
  • 9. The rules of order for PQs Must have basis Not seeking info readily available, already provided or blocked Not argumentative or providing info Must engage Ministerial responsibility Must not touch on matters before the courts
  • 10. Insider knowledge If s/he will indicates a press for action Estimate or assessment What representations s/he has received on and if s/he will make a statement Pattern of answering is very important, esp. for Departmental responsibility and what information Departments make available Fuller answers may forestall further questions