Holding the government to account is one of Parliament's most important functions. MPs question ministers in person on the floor of the House through Question Time — a rotating schedule that gives each Cabinet department a slot every few weeks. Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) takes place every Wednesday at noon when the Commons is sitting and is broadcast live.
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Other tools of scrutiny include written parliamentary questions answered in writing within set time limits, urgent questions allowed by the Speaker, debates on government policy and the work of select committees that examine ministers and senior officials in depth.
You may be asked when PMQs is held (Wednesday at noon), or who chairs Question Time (the Speaker).
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