Guide to Parliamentary Work

Annex - Topical Questions

Does the Secretary of State have to answer the first question?
There is a VERY STRONG expectation that the Secretary of State will answer the first question (i.e. a brief answer addressing the major issues of the day), but it is ultimately for the Department to decide.

How long should this first response be?
It should be brief. It should certainly not exceed 1 minute. Mr Speaker has indicated to the Leader of the House that Ministers can expect to be interrupted if the response is longer than this.

What should be included in the opening response?
The substance is a matter for Departments but should fall within the spirit of the recommendations in the Modernisation Committee report. The House would not expect it to be used as a platform for making major policy announcements. Ministers and their Departments are reminded that where a policy announcement is being given, they should first consider either a Written Ministerial Statement or Oral Statement. However, it may be acceptable to use the opportunity in the opening statement (by the Secretary of State) to bring to the attention of the House, a Written Ministerial Statement issued earlier on in the day.

Who will answer subsequent answers?
It is for the Secretary of State to decide. There may be practical and presentational reasons why it may be difficult to decide on the spot which Minister should answer questions with no prior notice.

If a Minister other than the Secretary of State answers a question from the ballot, will they be required to answer any ‘supplementaries’ (i.e. any further Member not on the list, that the Speaker decides to call to retain balance) before the next balloted question is asked?
A Minister will not be expected to answer ‘supplementaries’ (but of course could). As with Prime Ministers Questions (PMQs), supplementaries need not be related to the previous actual question and will be treated as a ‘new’ question.

How much time will the opposition front bench get?
In total, the Opposition front benches will proportionally get no additional time. However, they may split it between closed and open sections, at the Speakers discretion.

What is the definition of topical?
Although we expect Members to use the opportunity to raise topical issues, there is no definition or procedural requirement for topicality. These are simply classed as open questions. The opening statement by the Secretary of State could influence other Member’s to ask questions on this topic.

What will be out of scope (can Members ask about outstanding PQs and correspondence)?
As long as it is within the responsibilities of the Department it will be within scope.

Is there any process for open questions not reached?
They will die (as with PMQs). The open session is planned to be run along similar lines to PMQs.