Timings

Question 1

What are the typical sitting times each day? (Including the 30 minutes for the adjournment debate)

Answer 1

Monday: 2:30 - 10:30

Tuesday: 11:30 - 7:30

Wednesday: 11:30 - 7:30

Thursday: 9:30 - 5:30

(Friday): 9:30 - 3

Question 2

Prayers

Answer 2

This is before the first business of the day and is ran by the speakers Chaplin.

MPs will attend this so they can reserve a seat for the debates that day. They do this by putting a prayer card in the seat they wish to be in.

Question 3

Private and unopposed business

Answer 3

This is the first business of the day. Generally this is things such as a list of private members bills.

It will be read out by the speaker and no debate will take place. If unopposed they will pass to second reading. If opposed, they are killed.

Question 4

Ministerial questions

Answer 4

This takes place after private and unopposed business between Monday - Thursday on rotation by department.

A minister from a department will take questions from MP’s on the departments subject across a range of topics.

Generally this lasts an hour.

Question 5

Urgent questions

Answer 5

These will not take place every day.

MP’s must submit an urgent question to the speaker on the day the wish for it to be asked in the chamber. The speaker will decide if it should be given time.

The urgent question is usually topical to contemporary events.

These generally last 45 minutes.

Question 6

Oral statements

Answer 6

These will not take place every day.

Generally, these are added to the order paper by ministers about a topic that the government want to give an announcement on.

They last around 45 minutes, and as many or few as the government decides can be added each day.

Question 7

Presentation of bills

Answer 7

This is simply a list of bills that are read out to the house to set a date for when they will be read. It will only take a few minutes.

It takes place after oral/urgent questions that day, and can be presented by the prime minister all the way through to back benchers.

Question 8

10 minute rule bill

Answer 8

This is a form of private members bill that a back bench MP can use to try and bring legislation through the commons.

There are two on the order paper each week. One on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday.

The person who has brought the bill forward will give a speech for about 10 minutes. Usually another MP will then respond for about 10 minutes to this.

There is no debate, but it can go to a vote if opposed by some in the house.

Question 9

Debates

Answer 9

These are generally the main business of the day to discuss and analyse legislation that is being brought by the government.

However, there is nothing saying it has to be legislation. It can also be a topical issue.

I.e. Tributes to Margert Thatcher upon her death

Question 10

Other business

Answer 10

Items listed on the parliamentary agenda that are announced or noted without debate or discussion, usually including written statements, notices of motions, petitions, and formal announcements. This segment allows procedural matters or less urgent issues to be recorded in the official parliamentary record.

Question 11

Petitions

Answer 11

A form of “other business”.

MP’s can present paper petitions before the adjournment debate on behalf of their constituents.

They will generally be allowed to speak for a minute about the petition unopposed.

Question 12

Adjournment

Answer 12

A parliamentary debate that takes place at the end of a sitting day, allowing MPs to bring attention to specific topics or concerns, often involving their constituencies or broader issues. The debate provides an opportunity for a minister or government representative to respond, but it does not result in a formal decision or vote.

Question 13

Prorogation

Answer 13

The suspension of Parliament and its committees by the governor general at the request of the prime minister. Prorogation (unlike an adjournment) ends a session of Parliament such that the work of committees is ended and bills that have not been passed have to be reintroduced unless a carry-over motion has been agreed upon for specific legislation.

Question 14

State opening of parliament

Answer 14

An event which formally marks the beginning of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Parliament is opened by the Kings Speech. A speech written by the government and read out by the king. This sets out the priorities of the government across the course of the session.

The debate on the kings speech will follow this. Each day discussing a different topic such as “The economy”, “Foreign affairs” etc.

Question 15

Swearing in

Answer 15

If religious they will take an oath.

If non-religious they will affirm.

Question 16

Maiden speech

Answer 16

This is the first speech made by an MP after being elected as a member of parliament.

You must make your maiden speech before you can take part in any debates.

However, you can still:

• Submit an EDM
• Submit an oral or written question
• present a petition
• present or support a PMB
• take part in a committee
• table an amendment (but it cannot be moved till you have given the speech)

Question 17

Election of the speaker

Answer 17

The longest serving MP (Peter Bottomley) resides over the election of the speaker.

If it is not contested:

• The speaker elect will make a short speech to the commons, before the house agrees they should continue.

If it is contested:

• Those who want to stand must gain at least 12 signatures across 3 parties.
• Each candidate then gives a short speech.
• Voting then takes place for 30 minutes.

If someone gets over 50% of the vote, they automatically win. If nobody has achieved that, the person with the lowest votes drops out and then the process repeats.

Question 18

Election of the deputy speaker

Answer 18

There are 3 types:

1. The chairman of the ways and means (Tory)
2. The first deputy chairman of the ways and means (Labour)
3. The second deputy chairman of the ways and means (Lib-Dem)

To stand for election you require a minimum of 6 votes.

Elections take place via STV.

Question 19

Election of the speaker

Answer 19

The longest serving MP (Peter Bottomley) resides over the election of the speaker.

If it is not contested:

• The speaker elect will make a short speech to the commons, before the house agrees they should continue.

If it is contested:

• Those who want to stand must gain at least 12 signatures across 3 parties.
• Each candidate then gives a short speech.
• Voting then takes place for 30 minutes.

If someone gets over 50% of the vote, they automatically win. If nobody has achieved that, the person with the lowest votes drops out and then the process repeats.

Question 20

End of the parliament

Answer 20

The 2022 dissolution and calling of parliament act:

A general election must be called within 5 years of the previous general election date.

If a general election has not been called by the 5th anniversary of the previous date, it will be automatically called.

Question 21

The short campaign

Answer 21

A term used in countries with variable election dates to describe the period between the announcement of an election and election day.

This is 25 days in the UK, not including weekends and bank holidays.