It was not until that the standing orders specifically permitted questions without notice or included them in the order of business, despite their long de facto status. It was not until [5] that a reference to questions without notice was made in the Votes and Proceedings. This long term absence from the official record of proceedings is perhaps indicative of the somewhat unofficial nature of Question Time, its features having always been heavily influenced by practice and convention.
From the outset it was held that Ministers could not be compelled to answer questions without notice. These qualifying words were omitted in , the Standing Orders Committee having stated:. Although it remains the case that Ministers are not compelled to answer questions without notice, the political attention now given to the period would mean that a refusal by Ministers to answer questions would likely attract an adverse reaction and see similar comments at page relating to the reaction to restrictions on the occurrence or duration of Question Time.
The proportion of the time of the House spent on Question Time and the number of questions dealt with varied considerably. On some days in the early Parliaments no questions without notice were asked, and on others there were only one or two questions. By the time of World War I several questions without notice were usually dealt with on a typical sitting day [10] and the period gradually tended to lengthen.
During the early s the record indicates that 18 and 19 questions were able to be asked in the period, and, on one occasion in , 43 questions without notice were asked in approximately 50 minutes. Prior to the introduction of the daily Hansard in , related questions without notice were grouped together in Hansard in order to avoid repeated similar headings.
This meant that, until , the order in which questions appeared in Hansard did not necessarily reflect the order in which they were asked. Question Period — formally called Oral Questions — is an important method of ensuring that the government answers to the people, represented by the opposition parties , and is held accountable for its actions.
One example is Oral Questions, more commonly known as Question Period. It usually occurs at a. The Opposition leader or a leading questioner from their party is allowed to pose three questions, followed by another two questions from the Opposition leader or another Official Opposition MP , followed by questions from leading questioners of other opposition parties , according to an order for the day provided to the Speaker.
Government MPs may also ask questions, but most are posed by the opposition. Questions may be provided in writing prior to Question Period but most are asked orally with no advance notice as to the question or topic. Questions must be posed to the Speaker of the House and must state to whom the question is directed.
The Speaker typically allows a follow-up question. Most questions seek information regarding a current issue or pending legislation. Rules restrict the type of questions that may be asked. Search Search. Our Procedure. Our Procedure Questions. Questions Introduction The right to seek information from the ministry of the day and the right to hold that ministry accountable are two of the fundamental principles of parliamentary government. Principles and Guidelines for Oral Questions.
When recognized in Question Period, members should: be seated in their assigned seat; direct their questions through the Chair; only ask questions concerning a matter that is within the administrative responsibility of the government; be brief; and seek information.
Restrictions on Oral Questions. Government Replies to Oral Questions. In response to a question, a minister may: provide an answer; defer an answer; explain briefly why an answer cannot be provided at that time; or say nothing. The Speaker ensures that: Question Period is conducted in a civil manner; questions and answers are kept within a set timeframe; and both questioners and respondents can make their comments heard.
The Speaker does not ask or respond to oral questions. Suspension or Delay of Adjournment Proceedings. Adjournment Proceedings are suspended: when the sitting has been extended for an emergency debate or a take-note debate; when closure has been moved on an item; on the day designated for the budget presentation; or on any day on which the House continues to sit beyond the ordinary hour of daily adjournment for the election of a Speaker.
Government Replies to Written Questions. The government may answer written questions in one of two ways: The parliamentary secretary may simply indicate to the House the number s of the question s being answered. To prepare: Watch Question Period online or on television if available check local cable listings. Discuss current issues facing the Ontario government — collect newspaper clippings or read online news reports. Can you predict which topics might come up during Question Period?
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