QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER (Business Motion)

The Leader of the House (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Sir, I beg to move,

That, at future sittings of this Parliament -

(a) questions for oral answer addressed to the Prime Minister shall be taken at 2.30 pm and the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order 21 shall apply mutatis mutandis if any such question is not fully answered or reached by 3.00 pm; and

(b) such questions shall be excepted from the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order 86.

Mr Speaker, Sir, as the revised times of sitting of Parliament now stand, Questions for Oral Answer by Ministers are taken between 11.00 am and 12.00 noon. This MeanS that if there are questions addressed to the Prime Minister, he has to be here during this period to answer questions.

The Prime Minister's work schedule is such that he will find it more convenient to answer questions addressed to him at 2.30 pm. Questions addressed to the Prime Minister may be answered by Ministers in which case, questions would be taken at 11.00 am. But there will be instances where the Prime Minister may want to be personally present to take questions, in which case, he will find it more convenient if these are taken at 2.30 pm.

Sir, the Prime Minister has asked if the House agrees that he be allowed to take questions addressed to him at 2.30 pm. As the motion stands, half an hour is allowed for questions addressed to the Prime Minister.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That, at future sittings of this Parliament -

(a) questions for oral answer addressed to the Prime Minister shall be taken at 2.30, pm and the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order 21 shall apply mutatis mutandis if any such question is not fully answered or reached by 3.00 pm; and

(b) such questions shall be excepted from the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order 86.