Written parliamentary questions (WPQs)

Written parliamentary questions (WPQs) are questions submitted by MPs and peers to government ministers that receive a written, rather than an oral, answer. Written questions allow parliamentarians to ask government ministers for information on the work, policy and activities of government departments. The question and the minister’s response are both published online. What is the […]

Urgent questions

An urgent question (UQ) is a mechanism that allows an MP to seek an immediate answer from a government minister on a matter of pressing public importance. If granted by the speaker of the House of Commons, an urgent question obliges the relevant minister to come to the chamber that day to provide an explanation […]

Westminster Hall debates

Westminster Hall acts as a second debating chamber for MPs. The debates held in Westminster Hall are designed to give backbench MPs the opportunity to discuss topics that would not otherwise be heard in the main chamber. These include local constituency matters, the reports of select committees and public e-petitions. Ministers cannot apply for Westminster […]

Select committees

House of Commons select committees are cross-party groups of backbench MPs responsible for producing reports and acting collectively. Most commons select committees scrutinise the work of government departments and examine specific areas of public policy. Committees conduct inquiries into topics of their choosing, gathering written and oral evidence from ministers, civil servants, experts and the […]

Ministerial statements

A ministerial statement is the primary method used by government ministers to make important announcements and to communicate policy decisions to parliament. The ministerial code sets out that “the most important announcements of government policy should be made in the first instance in parliament.” Ministerial statements are a means of fulfilling this obligation. They are […]

Oral questions

Oral questions are one of the most reliable and regular mechanisms for MPs to hold the government to account in the House of Commons. They are daily sessions in the parliamentary timetable where government ministers must answer questions in person from MPs about the work of their departments. These sessions provide a routine opportunity for […]

Prime minister’s questions

Prime minister’s questions (PMQs) is the main event of the parliamentary week. It is a 30-minute session held in the House of Commons every Wednesday at 12 noon, where the prime minister answers questions from MPs from all sides of the House. PMQs is the most regular and high-profile opportunity for parliament to hold the […]

Adjournment debates

An adjournment debate is a type of parliamentary debate held in the House of Commons that allows a backbench MP to raise a specific issue and receive a direct response from a government minister. These debates take place on the technical motion “That this House do now adjourn”, which, being a neutral proposal, permits any […]