Part of Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 22 May 2024.
Tom Arthur
Scottish National Party
It is very welcome news that the United Kingdom has exited recession—a recession that Scotland avoided—but it is important to temper that with the recognition that the UK as a whole still faces significant challenges, with gross domestic product per person falling in the past year and borrowing ending the year higher than forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility. There is no sign of any improvement for our budget, which remains about £400 million lower in real terms than it was in 2022-23 as a result of the UK Government’s decision to prioritise tax cuts over investment in public services.
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.
