Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Industry – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 July 1983.
Mr David Trippier
, Rossendale and Darwen
12:00,
27 July 1983
Perhaps I was a little kind to the hon. Gentleman in my reply to his substantive question. If he had done a little more research, he would have realised that there are some travel-to-work areas within the Greater Manchester county that are assisted. For example Bolton and Leigh are intermediate areas and Rochdale and Wigan are development areas. I have said before, in a previous Question Time, that regional policy is being reviewed and that it is too early to speculate on the outcome.
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.
