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Urgent Question on A & E departments

21 May 2013

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Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, responded to an Urgent Question, asked by Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham, on Accident and Emergency departments, in the Commons on Tuesday 21 May 2013.

The Secretary of State was asked if he would make a statement on what evidence he has to show how his plans to change GP services will solve the current crisis in accident and emergency departments.

Urgent questions

At times MPs may want to put an urgent question to a Minister. If a matter of public importance has arisen, which an MP believes requires an immediate answer from a government minister, they may apply to the Speaker to put forward such a question.

The relevant government department would be informed at once.

If the Speaker agrees, the question will be asked after that day’s Question Time.

Once the MP has asked the main question, they are allowed to ask a supplementary question. Other MPs will then be called to ask further questions on the same subject.

View proceedings from the public gallery

UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings for free in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.