Private notice question
Selected letter
P
A private notice question (PNQ) gives a member of the House of Lords the opportunity to ask an urgent and important question to the government on any sitting day.
A member of the Lords can apply to the Lord Speaker for a PNQ. If the Lord Speaker accepts the request, a government minister or spokesperson must come to the House of Lords Chamber and give an immediate answer without prior notice.
Questions that are selected must be:
- related to a very recent or imminent event or development
- important in terms of public policy
- have more than a local or temporary significance.
PNQs are asked immediately after oral questions on Monday to Thursday, or at an agreed time if on a Friday.
- Related glossary term: Oral questions
- Related glossary term: Parliamentary questions
- Related glossary term: Urgent questions
- Related glossary term: Lord Speaker