Oral Answers to Questions — Government Departments. – in the House of Commons am ar 23 Gorffennaf 1925.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
asked the Prime Minister when it is intended to make an announcement with regard to the naval shipbuilding programme of the Government?
Mr Stanley Baldwin
, Bewdley
Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will await the statement which, with the permission of the House, I propose to make at the close of Questions.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Am I not entitled to an answer? Proper notice was given of this question, and I think there should be some reply made to it. Of course, if there is to be a long statement, I do not object to waiting for the statement.
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
The statement to be made later will be in reply to some further question. The hon. and gallant Member will not wish to deprive other hon. Members of their proper opportunity.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
I do not quite follow, Sir. I have asked a certain question, and any hon. Member has the right to put supplementary questions on it?
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
To take the statement now would be to deprive some Members of their part of Question Time.
Mr Stanley Baldwin
, Bewdley
On a point of Order. May I point out that the hon. and gallant Member asked me when it is intended to make a statement, and I have said that it is intended to make it after Questions?
Captain William Benn
, Leith
On the point of Order. Would you, Sir, say in the interest of private Members whether it is possible for a question of which notice has been given to be side-tracked or anticipated by a private notice question subsequently?
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
I cannot see how that can be. The Prime Minister says he intends to make an announcement at the end of Questions to-day, and that is the answer to the question.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how many cruisers it is intended to lay down?
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
That will come in the statement.
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.
