What are the Ministerial questions and the Prime Minister's Questions?

Question 1

1. When is the Prime Minister’s Questions held?

Answer 1

1. It’s held once a week, at 12pm, for half an hour each Wednesday.

Question 2

1a. What do the defenders of the Prime Minister’s Questions argue?
1b. What did Tony Blair describe it as?

Answer 2

1a. They argue that it obliges the prime minister to engage with the opposition on a range of topics. A lot of preparation goes into it.
1b. The most “nerve-racking” moment in his political career.

Question 3

1a. What are the problems with the ‘gladiatorial’ nature of these questions?
1b. Give an example of a situation that reflects this:

Answer 3

1a. They reveal more about personality than about government policy.
1b. On one occasion, Cameron attacked Corbyn’s choice of suit.

Question 4

1a. How much stage management goes on during the questions?

1b. In 2012, how did Desmond Swayne conduct stage management?

Answer 4

1a. MPs ask planted questions that present the prime minister in a good light.
1b. He orchestrated heckling of the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, and asked Conservative MPs to create a ‘protective wall of sound’ around the prime minister if he faced opposition.

Question 5

1a. How are ministers scrutinised?

1b. How might these be more informative than the Prime Minister’s Questions?

Answer 5

1a. They also have to answer questions about their own departments.
1b. There is more detailed questioning and ministers are given notice of oral questions, so civil servants can help them prepare.

Question 6

1a. Who answers MPs’ written questions?

1b. Who can use this method?

Answer 6

1a. Civil servants.
1b. Opposition MPs can inform themselves about government policy, and MPs can also raise issues of interest to their constituents.