Transfer Of Oral Questions

EDM number 1314 in 2006-07, proposed by Bob Russell on 19/04/2007.

That this House observes that five of the 25 questions selected for oral answer by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on 19th April 2007 were transferred to other departments for a response by written answer; notes that every day the Table Office handles hundreds of written and oral questions where assistance and guidance is given where necessary to hon. and right hon. Members; in light of the experience offered by the Table Office, finds it difficult to accept that such a high percentage of oral questions to DEFRA should have been transferred; is anxious not to suggest that this was a deliberate act by the Department to avoid dealing with difficult questions but rather an inflexible response to the wording of such questions; and therefore believes that there should be a same-day appeal system to enable the possibility of the reinstatement of oral questions which a department wishes to transfer by enabling hon. and right hon. Members to seek an agreement with the Department over the precise wording so as to resolve any perceived difficulties.

This motion has been signed by a total of 5 MPs.