of urgency, Chapter question relates to a matter of urgency or to the course of VIII. public business. The custom, formerly in vogue, of giving Questions notice of questions by reading the question aloud, is no see p. 251. longer allowed. Consequently, notice of a question is S. 0.9, Appendix I. given by delivering the terms thereof in writing to the clerks at the table, though, the sanction of the Speaker having been first obtained, a notice of a question may be read to the house. A member who desires an oral answer to his question must distinguish it by an asterisk, and the notice of any such question must appear at latest on the notice paper circulated on the day before that on which an answer is desired. Irregularities in a notice of a question are dealt with in the manner adopted regarding notices of motions (see p. 243), and are corrected at the table, or reserved for consideration.1 By the Speaker's order, when the number of questions addressed by a member to a minister exceeded a reasonable limit, the notices have been removed;2 and questions of excessive length have not been permitted. The Speaker also has called the attention of the house to an alteration made by his direction in a question. As regards questions Questions addressed to the Speaker, no written or public notice of Speaker. such a question is permissible; nor can any appeal be made to the chair by a question, save on points of order 5th May, 1902. The questions 124th May, 1878, Dr. Kenealy, 988. For instances where the 2 See twenty-eight notices of ques- 43. 26th July, 1887, 318 H. D. 3 s. 12th Feb. 1861, 161 ib. 342. to the Questions to minis ters. as they arise, or on a matter which urgently concerns the Chapter proceedings of the house.1 4 VIII. Questions addressed to ministers should relate to the public affairs with which they are officially connected, to proceedings pending in Parliament, or to any matter of administration for which the minister is responsible.2 Within these lines an explanation can be sought regarding the intentions of the government, but not an expression of their opinion upon matters of policy. An answer to a question cannot be insisted upon, if the answer be refused by a minister on the ground of the public interest; nor can Answers to the question be replaced upon the notice paper, or the see p. 252. refusal of the minister to answer the question be raised as a matter of privilege. ministers who are the confidential advisers of the Crown, regarding matters relating to those public duties for which the sovereign is responsible: but no question can be put Irregular which brings the name of the sovereign or the influence of the Crown directly before Parliament, or which casts reflections upon the sovereign." 5 Questions may be asked of the 1 155 H. D. 3 s. 870; 198 ib. 368; 17th May, 1881, 261 ib. 695; 3rd and 6th July, 1882, 271 ib. 1264. 1622; 24th March, 1884, 286 ib. 616; 91 Parl. Deb. 4 s. 103. 256. not 2 For questions held to be ir- 3 See Speaker's ruling, 22nd Feb. Speaker refused to allow a question 15th Feb. 1872, 209 H. D. 3 s. 5 285 H. D. 3 s. 875; 55 Parl. Deb. 4 s. 770. 689 ib. 322. 22nd May, 1868, 192 H. D. 3 s. questions, questions, see p. 249. Chapter By usage also questions may be addressed to members who are placed on royal commissions, or are trustees of the British Museum, if relevant to their official duties or position. This usage, which formerly included members of the Metropolitan Board of Works, is not extended to members of the London County Council.2 to mem Questions addressed to unofficial members must relate to Questions a bill, motion, or other matter connected with the business bers. of the house in which such members are concerned; though 3 a question addressed to a member, the leader of the opposition, inquiring the course he intended to adopt regarding a motion by the government, was not allowed. Although questions may not be asked regarding statements made by members outside the house, a question to an unofficial member has been permitted regarding a circumstance alleged to have happened outside Parliament, because it impugned the veracity of a member in respect to a statement made by him in the house." 5 not to con ment, &c., debate. The purpose of a question is to obtain information, and Questions not to supply it to the house." A question may not contain tain argustatements of facts, unless they be necessary to make the nor to question intelligible, and can be authenticated; nor should create a question contain arguments, inferences, imputations, epithets, or controversial or ironical expressions. Nor may a question refer to debates, or answers to questions in the current session.8 Discussion in anticipation upon an order of 711; 5th Aug. 1887, 318 H. D. 3 s. To the chairman or other mem- 2 25th March, 1889, 334 ib. 712. 5 8th Feb. 1872, 209 ib. 141; 27th 19th April, 1887, 313 ib. 1249. 8 H. D. 12th June, 1853 (Sir F. 1 VIII. the day or other matter, by means of a question, is not per- Chapter mitted; 1 nor can a question be asked regarding proceedings in a committee which have not been placed before the house by a report from the committee. A question which publishes the names of persons or statements not strictly necessary to render the question intelligible will be refused a place on the notice paper. The expression of an opinion cannot be sought for by a question, nor the solution of an abstract legal case,1 or of a hypothetical proposition. Nor is it in order to ask merely whether certain things, such as statements made in a newspaper, are true: but attention may be drawn to such statements, if the member, who puts the question, makes Questions, himself responsible for their accuracy. No question can personal be asked which reflects on the character or conduct of character. those persons whose conduct, as stated on p. 278, can 783. 842; 210 H. D. 3 s. 1088; 247 228 H. D. 3 s. 1557. 1766; 40 21st June, 1883, 280 H. D. 3 s. 5th July, 1880, 253 ib. 1632. 5 14th June, 1832, 270 H. D. 3 s. See Mr. Speaker's observations, 210 H. D. 3 s. 39; 213 ib. 554; 157 Parl. Deb. 4 s. 487. A question for the 4th Dec. 1893, reflecting on the action in court of the Judicial Commissioner of the Irish Land Commission, and a question for the 11th May, 1899, relating to the 723rd Feb. 1848, 96 H. D. 3 s. 1206 Chapter persons in their official or public capacity. A question also which might prejudice a pending trial should not be asked.1 VIII. In 1880, the practice of reading questions was discon- Manner of putting tinued, and the usage was established that members should questions. put their questions by referring to the number they bear upon the notice paper.2 4 After private business has been disposed of, and not later than three o'clock on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, the Speaker calls on the members who have given notices of questions to which oral answers are desired, but no questions can be taken after a quarter to four o'clock, except questions which have not been answered in consequence of the absence of the minister to whom they are addressed,5 and questions which have not appeared on the paper, but which are of an urgent character, and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business. As each member is called, he rises to put the question, or another member may do so at his request; and, without such request, a question should not be asked by a member who has not given notice of the question; although in case the member responsible for a questions question does not answer to the Speaker's call, a minister not reached may rise and make such statement upon the question as the public interest demands." In like manner, a member, other than the member in whose name a question stands, which contains allegations affecting personal character or conduct, and requires therefore prompt reply, may ask for an answer to the question, or a statement may be made thereon, although the question is not asked. Sometimes For answers to by a quarter to four o'clock, see p. 252. 196 Parl. Deb. 4 s. 1365. 8 2253 H. D. 3 s. 1920; 255 ib. 311. 3 If, owing to a Royal Commission, the commencement of questions is delayed, they are taken as soon as possible after the Speaker's return, 109 Parl. Deb. 4 s. 1358. On Fridays and Saturdays questions to which an oral answer is desired may be asked before public business is entered upon, but it is |