Dear ronaldmfree-ga,
Prime Minister?s Question Time was introduced in 1961 and is now held
when The House Of Commons is sitting on Wednesdays between 12.00 and
12.30pm.
As an useful example, I have linked below web sites relating the Prime
Minster?s Question Time of 19 October 2005.
Apart from the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the next
largest party, Members wishing to ask questions are selected by ballot
drawn by the Speaker of the House.
This is the Order of Business for 19 October 2005
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmagenda/ob051019.htm
This is the Summary Agenda for 19 October 2005
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmagenda/sa051019.htm
It always starts with the same question for the Prime Minister to
list his official engagements for that day. Once this is answered, the
Member is then permitted to ask any supplementary question which
relates to the PM?s duties or any aspect of Government policy.
In theory, all subsequent questioners have to ask the first question
on the PM?s duties, but in practice they do not and proceed
immediately to their supplementary question. They do not have to
announce their questions in advance but invariably it will be
politically topical so the PM must be fully briefed by his office and
ministerial colleagues prior to the session.
Unless there is a problem within the Party, questions asked by the
PM?s own back-benchers will often be already known by the PM and he
will be fully briefed with a suitable answer.
The Leader of the Opposition is allowed three or four further
questions and the leader of the next party is allowed two.
This is from Hansards report for 19 October 2005
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051019/debtext/51019-04.htm#51019-04_wqn0
This site produces the same information but with useful biographies,
photographs and a glossary.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2005-10-19a.834.9
Fact sheet on Ministerial Questions. Page 9 refers to PM?s Question Time
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/p01.pdf
Number 10 Downing Street web site.
?The half hour session starts with a routine question from an MP about
the Prime Minister's engagements.
Following the PM's reply, the questioning member can put a
supplementary question about anything relating to the PM's duties or
any aspect of Government policy.
Leader of the Opposition is permitted three or four supplementaries in
succession to his or her first question. The leader of the next
largest party is allowed two.?
http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page5180.asp
BBC web site.
?MPs do not normally give the prime minister prior notice of the
subject which they are going to raise.
This element of surprise allows opposition MPs, in particular, to try
to catch the prime minister out with an awkward question. The prime
minister must respond without delay, thinking on his or her feet.
Government backbenchers can normally be relied upon to ask a "helpful"
question which will allow the prime minister to tell the House about
successful government policies.?
?The chance to ask the prime minister a question is highly prized. The
names of the MPs who will get the chance to ask the prime minister a
question are drawn in a weekly lottery.?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4115878.stm
I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder
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