You can ask a minister an oral question in the Chamber, or you can ask a written question. Questions are submitted through the Table Office.
All questions must:
- seek information or press for action
- be about something a minister is responsible for
- be based on fact, not speculation
- use neutral language and not contain unnecessary information
- not ask for information which is readily available
- not refer to a case that is active in the UK courts
The Table Office acts under the Speaker’s authority to make sure questions meet the House’s rules.
To submit a written or oral question (including a Prime Minister’s question) you can:
- use the MemberHub to submit your question online (you can submit a maximum of 20 written questions a day online)
- take it to the Table Office or ask another MP to take it for you
- sign the question and then ask your staff to take it to the Table Office
Business questions to the Leader of the House (the minister responsible for organising Government business) can’t be submitted in advance. You just need to be in the Chamber for the start of Business questions on Thursday mornings.
You can also apply to the Speaker to be allowed to ask an urgent question in the Chamber. It must be about a matter of public importance and require an urgent answer.