The right to question the Cabinet

Every MP has the right to request information from a minister or state secretary or to call them to account on a particular matter. This also applies to issues that are not currently under discussion. MPs may pose oral or written questions and the responsible member of the Cabinet has a duty to respond.

Question hour

MPs may pose no more than six oral questions to members of the Cabinet during Question Hour each sitting Tuesday. The members of the Cabinet who are responsible for responding to one or more questions are obliged to attend Question Hour.

• Read more about Question Hour.

Interpellation

MPs who "interpellate" a member of the Cabinet may also ask questions. Interpellations do not take the form of regular debates: the interpellator demands an explanation and the member of the Cabinet provides a response. Other MPs are also entitled to take the floor once only. Holding an interpellation debate requires the support of thirty MPs.

Thirty-member debate

MPs may request a thirty-member debate. As the name suggests, thirty MPs must support such a request.