Written Parliamentary Questions
What are written parliamentary questions?
Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs) are a key way for Members of Parliament (MPs) to hold the government to account.
MPs can submit written questions to government ministers to:
Get information or statistics
Raise awareness of a local or national issue
Press for policy change or clarity
Put concerns on the public record
Ministers are obliged to respond in writing, usually within a few working days.
How Do They Work?
An MP submits a question in writing to a specific department or minister.
The question is published online on the UK Parliament website.
A minister or official responds, and their reply is also published.
Anyone—journalists, campaigners, constituents—can view the exchange.
Why Are They Important?
They can expose delays, gaps, or problems in government action.
They generate media coverage and public debate.
They can build pressure for change, especially when many MPs ask similar questions.
They help constituents get answers that might otherwise be ignored.
Can I See My MP's Questions?
Yes. All written questions and answers are publicly available on the UK Parliament website. You can search by MP name, topic, or date. Follow the link below.