Question time

Question time is a term from the parliamentary system. She is a regular -find item on the agenda of a parliamentary session ( plenary). Here the deputies outside the regular debates can make brief oral questions to the government that need to be answered orally immediately.

In the local political field there is also the special form of citizen - Question Time.

• 3.1 United Kingdom
• 3.2 Canada
• 3.3 Australia
• 3.4 New Zealand

Germany

Bundestag

The Bundestag distinguishes between the " Survey of the Federal Government " and the " Question Time ". While the former MPs allows spontaneous questions at the cabinet meeting and current topics, answered the federal government during question time previously submitted in writing questions.

Specifically, this is governed by the Rules of Procedure of the German Bundestag ( GOBT ):

• Survey of the Federal Government: § 106 and Appendix 7 GOBT
• Question Time: § 105 and Appendix 4 GOBT

Survey of Federal Government

The survey of the federal government takes in meeting weeks of the Bundestag, Wednesdays from 13:00 bis 13:30 clock clock instead. Here the delegates can ask questions about the previous Cabinet meeting, as well as on current issues to the federal government. Questions and answers should be short. In contrast to the question hour, the questions must not be submitted earlier. Is initiated, the government questioning by a brief report of a government minister from the Cabinet. ( GOBT - Appendix 7)

The survey of the federal government will be broadcast live by Phoenix.

Question time

The Question Time takes place every Wednesday from 13:30 clock one session a week and from 15:30 clock in the rule. Each member of the German Bundestag can provide up to two questions for oral answer to the federal government per -session.

The questions must be received by 12 clock in front of Question Time, the Bundestag President no later than Friday. Exceptionally, may be permitted in the public interest urgent matters, provided they are received at the President to 12 clock the day before Question Time. On the admissibility of the questions will decide in each case, the President of the Bundestag.

The asker per question the ability to provide up to two supplementary questions. Other Members may ask supplementary questions. Supplementary questions must relate to the original question.

If a group is not satisfied with a response from the federal government, they can apply for a current hour to do so. The current hour, a short debate with 5 -minute speeches, then takes place directly after the question hour. ( GOBT - Appendix 5)

In practice, usually very specific technical or local affairs from the respective constituencies of the MPs are treated in the question hour. The answer usually assume the Parliamentary State Secretaries. Personally respond to the Minister in question time rather rare, the Chancellor practically never.

In contrast to the survey by the Federal Government Question Time usually is not transmitted live on the radio, not even by Phoenix. However, the Bundestag itself offers on its website a live broadcast. Moreover, one can retrieve records in the online video archive of the Bundestag.

Diet and local assemblies

Similar rules to the German Bundestag can also be applied to country, county and municipal parliaments. This is at the discretion of the parliamentary rules of procedure.

Citizen Question Time in German municipal councils

A municipality in Baden- Württemberg, in its rules of procedure allow for the possibility for the inhabitants Question Time. Question time must be included as a separate item on the agenda in the invitation to the council meeting and may at the outset, be placed in the middle or at the end of the GR session.

There are only issues with local political terms allowed.

Switzerland

In the Swiss National Council find eight times per year, Q & A sessions of 90 minutes instead ( on the second and third Monday afternoon of a session ). The members of parliament are required to submit in writing the questions a few days earlier. A government member reads a response text, which has been approved by the government as a whole, the Federal Council. Thereafter, the Members of Parliament can ask supplementary questions, which are answered by the government member immediately.

Question Time at Westminster system

A central role is played by the parliamentary question time in a British traits ( Westminster system). From the head of government (Prime Minister) is expected here as well as by his ministers to confront regularly in person the questions of Parliament. In particular, the opposition sees it at that as their task to control the government. It meets regularly to direct slugfest between the opposition leader and Prime Minister. In the UK there is even a question time the Prime Minister.

If these countries have a bicameral parliament, the main focus of most of Question Time (usually under-or House of Representatives ) applies in the representation of the people directly elected. Although the second chamber (upper house or Senate ) has its own Question Time, but reply here usually subordinate members of the government.

Unlike the German parliamentary system takes the question hour in these countries a broad space in the media coverage. So held regular live broadcasts on radio and television. Broadcasts and podcasts on the Internet make it possible to pursue the question hour from many English-speaking countries worldwide directly.

United Kingdom

Apart from sessions on a Friday for the first hour of each session of the House of Deputies for questions is reserved to members of the government. The Question Time (English: " Question Time" ) is divided into fixed time scheduled for each department.

By far the most important is the "Prime Minister 's Question Time ( PMQs = Prime Minister's Questions) ." The Wednesdays at 12:00 clock (local time) held the Prime Minister's Question Time is probably the world's most famous Question Time at all. It lasts 30 minutes. The opposition leaders are two questions a total of six questions you may have, the chairman of the second largest opposition party. The remaining time is for issues of ordinary Members (English: backbenchers ) reserved. The questions are the Prime Minister not usually known in advance.

In particular, the direct exchange of blows between the opposition leader and Prime Minister has often high political sensitivity and entertainment value. This speech duels before gripping a full house are definitely among the highlights of the political events in the UK.

In broadcasting PMQs be broadcast live as follows:

• BBC Two ( UK channel )
• BBC Parliament ( UK Parliament TV )
• Sky News ( British private TV news channel )
• BBC Radio 5 Live (UK radio station )
• C- SPAN2 ( U.S. television )
• CPAC (Canadian TV channel ): delayed rights

Transmission on the Internet: the transmitter mentioned on their websites also allow the reception via Internet (live or video / audio-on -demand ). The home of British Prime Minister also offers a PMQs video archive, which dates back to January 2000. A PMQs podcast provides the online portal for the British newspaper "The Guardian". Video clips with cut-outs are also particularly interesting to find on YouTube.

Canada

"Question Period " (English ) or " Période of questions" ( double ) in the House is in session Monday through Thursday each week clock around 14:00 (local time) and lasts about 45 minutes. Question Time will be opened usually by the opposition leader, the entitled a total of 3 questions. The questions are not known beforehand.

Like all meetings of the Canadian Parliament is also the question hour bilingual, ie it is possible to speak either English or French. Simultaneous interpretation in both languages ​​are offered.

For the vibrancy of "Question Period" helps to ensure that questions and answers are usually accompanied by applause from his own party; In contrast, in other Westminster parliaments applause by clapping or tapping rather uncommon on the desks.

The Canadian television station CPAC broadcasts live and provides a recording available on the internet as a podcast. Again, you can choose between the original and versions with English and French simultaneous translation.

Australia

" Question Time" in the House of Representatives is in session weeks from Mondays to Thursdays always around 14:00 clock (local time) and lasts about 90 minutes. Opposition and government provide alternately a question to the first question always comes from the opposition. The agenda item Question Time is officially called by the Speaker to "Questions Without Notice", ie the questions are not known beforehand.

In "Question Time" there is often too noisy and turbulent. Rules debates about the admissibility of Questions and Answers (English, Points of Order) are not uncommon.

The Speaker may exclude disruptive MPs for an hour of the meeting, what actually happens quite frequently. In case of serious disturbances Members may be excluded by a majority vote for 24 hours; a roll-call vote (English Division ) or request shall then possibly also during question time instead ( Standing Order 94).

Occasionally, during the question hour to an urgent debate. This happens, for example, then, when the opposition leader speaks up and a motion of censure against the government (English Censure Motion) provides. About Here is then debated and voted on immediately. In contrast to the Australian practice of Question Time and debate elsewhere strictly separated.

The ABC television and Sky News Australia broadcast " Question Time" live. In the radio ABC News Radio transmits. The latter station has on its website a recording available as a podcast. Video clips with particularly interesting excerpts are also frequently found in YouTube.

New Zealand

" Question Time" in the House of Representatives is in session weeks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and will take about 60 to 90 minutes. This 12 previously submitted in writing questions are answered by the government per question hour in the rule. Several additional questions per question is allowed. The first question always comes from the opposition.

Is transmitting " Question Time" by the New Zealand Parliament TV Parliament TV, private news channel Sky News New Zealand and Radio New Zealand. The latter offers on his website to a podcast. Excerpts can be found on YouTube.

Japan

In the national parliament of Japan Question Time was modeled after the British Prime (Japanese党 首 讨论, Toshu Toron, " debate of the party leaders ' lit. ) furnished Minister's question time in 1999, was based on a separate law, which strengthen the parliamentary system and the primacy of politics should. In the 45 -minute session in a common committee of both Houses of Parliament, the kokka kihon seisaku iinkai, " Committee on fundamental [ questions of ] national [ s ] policy," just answer the party chairman questions that usually at the forefront of the House fraction of their party standing; the chairman of the largest government party is usually at the same time Prime Minister.

Transfer the Toshu Toron often among other nationally and internationally by the public service broadcaster NHK and by the House TV Shūgiin TV. The latter provides on its website a podcast. Excerpts can be found on YouTube.