Tabling of Lords Parliamentary Questions

The Companion to the Standing Orders of the House of Lords states that “oral questions […] are asked for information only, and not with a view to stating an opinion, making a speech or raising a debate”.  There is a procedure for tabling oral parliamentary questions, and this is set out in the Companion to the Standing Orders. The fourth space for an oral question each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday is reserved for a question which is topical. These questions are chosen by ballot.

During the 2014–15 parliamentary session, 444 lead oral parliamentary questions were asked and 181 Members asked at least one lead question. During the 2013–14 session, 543 lead oral parliamentary questions were asked and 212 Members asked at least one lead question.