Parliamentary questions

Question 1

Departmental questions

Answer 1

-Takes place every fortnight.
-Ministers from each govt dept will be able to question govt ministers on the floor of the house.
-Ministers answer questions on issues relating to their dept.

Question 2

Strengths of departmental questions
Limitations of departmental questions

Answer 2

+Are fortnightly- regular opportunity for MPs to question ministers from each govt department–> forces them to explain/take accountability for their actions,
-Limited time, ministers may not answer questions fully=not sustained.

Question 3

PMQS

Answer 3

-Takes place every Wednesday.
-Leader of the opposition party, leader of third largest party and backbenchers get to question the PM.
-Govt backbenchers ask questions drafted by the whips.
-Leader of Opposition may try to shape agenda/ highlight policy failures.

Question 4

Strengths of pmqs
Limitations of PMQS

Answer 4

+Opposition leader + backbenchers can raise important nation or constituency issues/ highlight failings - creates pressure to act.
+Forces the PM to be prepared.
+Many PMS have said for PMQS to be the worst part of their week.
-PM’s can just ignore or modify questions to suit their pre-prepared answers e.g Theresa May only answered 27% of questions, was the ‘most evasive’ PM in 50 years.
-Govt backbenchers may seek to flatter by asking ‘planted questions’ in order to win favour

Question 5

Urgent questions

Answer 5

-Members can request that a minister come to the house on short notice to make a statement/ take questions.
-Permission given by the speaker if the question is of urgent character + relates to public importance

Question 6

Strengths of urgent questions
Limitations of urgent questions

Answer 6

+Ministers can attend to respond to topical issues
+More common since 2017- shows they’re effective.
-Doesn’t provide feedback on unsuccessful requests.
-Up to the speaker to determine what’s urgent or not.
-Ministers may not give full/frank info

Question 7

Written questions

Answer 7

-Enables MPs + Lords to scrutinise in detail specific areas of govt policy
-Govt ministers are expected to respond within 7 days
-Published all online- transparent and clear to public.

Question 8

Strengths of written questions

Answer 8

+Majority of questions are written rather than oral.
+Ministers are able to answer properly as they aren’t under the pressure of time.
+Is where most parliamentary work takes place- less visible, but still as important!