Oral Answers to Questions — President of the Council – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 2 November 1998.
Sir David Amess
Conservative, Southend West
12:00,
2 November 1998
What recent representations she has received on the arrangements for Prime Minister's questions. [55918]
Margaret Beckett
Chair, Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Privy Council Office)
I have received occasional letters about the content of Prime Minister's questions, but no recent proposals to alter the arrangements.
Sir David Amess
Conservative, Southend West
Now that we have 18 months' experience of the new-style Prime Minister's Question Time, will the right hon. Lady consider reverting to the original arrangements? Is she aware that many hon. Members feel that the weekly visitation means that the Executive are no longer being properly scrutinised? There is also some frustration that, although the Opposition keep asking questions, they receive no answers.
Margaret Beckett
Chair, Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Privy Council Office)
I am afraid that those who believe that a return to the previous system would be better are allowing their prejudices to triumph over an examination of the facts. Since my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister got rid of the preamble, there is far more—probably almost twice as much—substance in the answers than there was before. My right hon. Friend has missed only one Prime Minister's Question Time since May 1997—when the Belfast agreement was being negotiated. He has also made more statements to the House than his predecessor over a comparable period. Those who are insinuating that the Prime Minister comes to the House less often or is less accountable have not studied the facts.
Mr Gerry Bermingham
Labour, St Helens South
Perhaps my right hon. Friend will consider the number of questions asked by the Leader of the Opposition. His six in succession tend to be repetitive and miss the point. If we want a sharp, clear exchange of views, perhaps short, sharp questions, limited in number, are the solution.
Margaret Beckett
Chair, Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Privy Council Office)
I certainly would not venture to give advice to the Leader of the Opposition on how he should conduct himself. I know from experience that that post requires considerable skill.
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.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
The "Leader of the Opposition" is head of "Her Majesty's Official Opposition". This position is taken by the Leader of the party with the 2nd largest number of MPs in the Commons.
