ANNEX A
QUESTIONNAIRE SENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS
MEMBER'S NAME:
YEAR WHEN FIRST ENTERED HOUSE:
______________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE TICK THE BOXES WHERE APPLICABLE
A. GENERAL
1. Which aspects of the current system of parliamentary
questions do you find most attractive?
Which aspects of the current system of parliamentary
questions do you find least attractive?
If you could introduce a single reform to the system,
what would it be?
2. How effective do you think the system of oral
and written questions is in bringing information into the public
domain, contributing to political debate, and holding the Executive
to account?
(a) oral questions (b) written questions
3. How often in an average week do you table
oral questions?
How often in an average week do you table written
questions?
How do you use the system of questions to assist
you in your work as a Member?
B. GOVERNMENT
RESPONSIBILITIES
AND
CONTENT
OF
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
4. Could the Government do anything further to
clarify areas of departmental responsibility to assist Members
in their tabling of questions?
5. Are you satisfied with the current system
of transfers between departments?
YES ¨ NO
¨ If
not, how might this be improved?
6. In your view, are the current rules governing
content of questions reasonable?
YES ¨ NO
¨ If
you feel they are not, could you give specific examples?
How satisfied are you with the speed of answers to
written questions?
Very ¨
Quite ¨
No opinion ¨
Dissatisfied ¨
Very Dissatisfied ¨
How satisfied are you with the quality of answers
to written questions?
C. TIMING
AND
TOPICALITY
7. Should the current deadlines for tabling oral
questions be reduced or abolished, in order to allow for more
topical questioning?
YES ¨
NO ¨
The present rules require that, in order to be admissible,
an oral question to a departmental Minister should be so worded
as to indicate, within reasonably broad limits, a particular subject
matter. Would you support a change to allow 'open' questions to
departmental Ministers?
YES ¨
NO ¨
Should the timing and format of Question Time in
the House be changed?
YES ¨
NO ¨
If so, how?
8. Would you support a change in the rules to
allow questions to be answered during part of the summer recess?
YES ¨ NO
¨
9. Is the current distinction between named day
(formerly 'priority') written questions and ordinary written questions
useful?
YES ¨
NO ¨
If not, why not?
D. ELECTRONIC
TABLING
10. Would you support a system of tabling questions
by e-mail?
YES ¨ NO
¨
Would you personally make use of such a facility?
YES ¨ NO
¨
If so, how often?
How do you think technical issues such as verification
of the identity of the Member tabling the question could be tackled?
11. Should any system of electronic tabling be
extended to cover Early Day Motions and other motions as well?
YES ¨ NO
¨
E. MEMBERS'
PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
FOR
QUESTIONS
12. Is the requirement that oral questions can
only be tabled by a Member in person (or another Member acting
on his or her behalf) justified?
YES ¨ NO
¨ If
not, why not?
13. How frequently do you receive requests from
outside organisations or lobbying groups that you should table
questions on their behalf?
Several times a week ¨
Once a week ¨
Once a month ¨
Occasionally ¨
Never ¨
How often do you accede to such requests?
Several times a week ¨
Once a week ¨
Once a month ¨
Occasionally ¨
Never ¨
How often do your receive similar requests from your
own whips or party advisers?
Several times a week ¨
Once a week ¨
Once a month ¨
Occasionally ¨
Never ¨
How often do you accede to such requests?
Several times a week ¨
Once a week ¨
Once a month ¨
Occasionally ¨
Never ¨
14. To what extent are your staff involved in
preparing questions?
Would it be helpful for the House authorities to
offer some form of training in the questions system for Members'
staff?
YES ¨ NO
¨
F. TABLE
OFFICE
SERVICES
15. Are there any particular improvements you
would like to see to the service offered by the TableOffice?
16. Are you aware that it is possible to for
the Table Office to communicate with you by pager?
YES ¨
NO ¨
Have you made any use of this opportunity?
YES ¨ NO
¨
Do you think this is a useful facility?
YES ¨ NO
¨
17. Could the current question forms be redesigned
to make them clearer and more helpful to Members?
YES ¨
NO ¨
If yes, please state how
G. OTHER
COMMENTS
18. Are there any other comments you wish to
make?
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