Written evidence submitted by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (WRP 20)

I make frequent use of WPQs as part of my parliamentary duties, both to gain a clearer understanding of Government policy and to assess the wider impact of policy decisions. WPQs are also an important mechanism through which I raise questions on behalf of constituents and campaign groups, who are seeking clarity on the Government’s intentions across a range of policy areas.

In recent years, I have increased my use of WPQs for this purpose, as they have generally provided a timelier route to obtaining information compared with written correspondence to ministers. This is particularly important when dealing with pressing or time-sensitive matters, where delays in ministerial responses can significantly hinder effective scrutiny.

However, I have several concerns regarding the current operation of WPQs. In particular, I have observed an increasing frequency with which questions are grouped together, but where the answer provided does not fully address each of the questions tabled. This creates an inefficient and often frustrating process, whereby questions must be re-tabled in order to obtain a complete response. This places an additional administrative burden on Members and their offices and reduces the overall effectiveness of the system.

More broadly, I find that responses to WPQs are often insufficiently detailed or do not directly engage with the substance of the question asked. This necessitates further follow-up and, in some cases, repeated attempts to secure a clear answer. There appears, at times, to be a tendency towards providing partial or generalised responses, rather than fully addressing the specific points raised. This undermines the role of WPQs as a tool for effective parliamentary scrutiny.

I am also concerned about the handling of ‘Named Day’ questions. Increasingly, I find that responses are not provided by the specified date, nor within the expected ten sitting day timeframe for WPQs more generally. In such cases, there is often no explanation given for the delay, nor any indication of when a response can be expected. It would be helpful if departments were required to provide reasons for delayed responses, along with a revised timeframe. As it stands, the responsibility frequently falls on Members and their offices to chase outstanding answers, which is not an efficient use of resources.

Due to the delays associated with ministerial correspondence, my office has taken the decision in some cases to table WPQs in response to constituents’ policy concerns, in place of writing directly to ministers. This approach was intended to provide constituents with more timely responses. However, the issues outlined above, particularly in relation to the quality of answers and the grouping of questions, are reducing the effectiveness of this approach. As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain clear and substantive answers to the policy questions raised by constituents.

WPQs are intended to be a key tool available to backbench Members in holding the Government to account. However, in my experience, their effectiveness is being diminished. I hope that this inquiry will consider steps to improve the completeness and timeliness of responses, reduce the inappropriate grouping of questions, and ensure greater accountability from departments where expected response standards are not met.

Should you have any questions regarding the above, or should you require further detail, please do not hesitate to contact me.

April 2026