– in the House of Commons at on 4 March 1924.
Sir Philip Colfox
, Dorset Western
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. I desire to ask as to the best method to adopt to obtain a verbal answer from the Postmaster-General. I have made inquiries, and find that Tuesday is his day for answering questions; but I notice on the Order Paper to-day that the first question to the Postmaster-General is No. 98. Are there any means available for hon. Members to get a verbal answer?
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
As I have said before, the arrangement of questions does not come within my province. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will make representations through the usual channels, I am sure the matter will be attended to. The only suggestion I have to make is that Ministers who have long replies to questions should circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT, instead of reading them to the House, especially if those answers contain a number of figures. But Question Time is, I think, improving.
Sir Philip Colfox
, Dorset Western
Can I take it that any questions to the Postmaster-General which are down for to-day, and which are postponed till to-morrow will be answered to-morrow? [HON. MEMBERS: No!"]
Mr Harry Becker
, Richmond (Surrey)
Could we have a little longer time for questions? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
That is a matter fixed by the Standing Order.
The order paper is issued daily and lists the business which will be dealt with during that day's sitting of the House of Commons.
It provides MPs with details of what will be happening in the House throughout the day.
It also gives details of when and where the standing committees and select committees of the Commons will be meeting.
Written questions tabled to ministers by MPs on the previous day are listed at the back of the order paper.
The order paper forms one section of the daily vote bundle and is issued by the Vote Office
The Speaker is an MP who has been elected to act as Chairman during debates in the House of Commons. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintains order in the House. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. He or she must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their view without undue obstruction. It is also the Speaker who reprimands, on behalf of the House, an MP brought to the Bar of the House. In the case of disobedience the Speaker can 'name' an MP which results in their suspension from the House for a period. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He or she is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceases to be involved in party politics. All sides in the House rely on the Speaker's disinterest. Even after retirement a former Speaker will not take part in political issues. Taking on the office means losing close contact with old colleagues and keeping apart from all groups and interests, even avoiding using the House of Commons dining rooms or bars. The Speaker continues as a Member of Parliament dealing with constituent's letters and problems. By tradition other candidates from the major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat at a General Election. The Speakership dates back to 1377 when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed to the role. The title Speaker comes from the fact that the Speaker was the official spokesman of the House of Commons to the Monarch. In the early years of the office, several Speakers suffered violent deaths when they presented unwelcome news to the King. Further information can be obtained from factsheet M2 on the UK Parliament website.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
