• The British Parliament’s first recorded oral question was believed to have occurred on February 9^th, 1721 inside the House of Lords. Earl Cowper queried the Earl of Sunderland, First Lord of the Treasury, about the arrest of a fugitive cashier from the South Sea Company – known for causing a famous economic bubble.
• The first ruling on questions by a British Speaker of the House was recorded in 1783, claiming the procedure was disorderly but useful. Still, such questions were considered a departure from normal practice until the 19^th century. Britain’s modern Question Time dates from 1869, and now includes the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions each Wednesday.
• In Canada, the first oral question came on November 29, 1867, mere months after Confederation. Questions had already been asked in colonial legislatures in previous years.
• The practice of oral questions was a daily Canadian ritual by the 1940s but had no formal rules until 1964. MPs wanting to ask ministers about “matters of urgency” relied instead on a build-up of precedent and convention.

• Question Period begins at 2:15 pm ET Monday to Thursday, and 11:15 am ET on Friday, while the House of Commons is sitting. The specific times were established in 1975.
• First to rise is Leader of the Opposition, or another lead questioner from that party, who typically asks three questions. Another member of the Official Opposition follows with two questions. Other leaders or lead questioners are allowed two questions. Each party submits to the Speaker a daily list of MPs with questions. The Speaker chooses in what order to recognize them. This depends on both personal discretion and party standings in the House of Commons. The Speaker, ministers, and parliamentary secretaries do not pose their own questions.
• Television cameras were introduced to the House of Commons in 1977, allowing viewers across Canada to view Question Period.
• Although a question is usually designated for a specific minister, that person is not required to respond. The government decides who will respond – if at all. According to longstanding House of Commons procedure, a minister may:
  "Provide an answer, defer an answer, explain briefly why an answer cannot be provided at that time, or say nothing."
• A 35-second time limit for questions and answers was instituted in 1997.
• Members of Parliament who aren’t satisfied with the answer to their question can speak to the matter at the end of the day, known as Adjournment Proceedings or the “late show.” MPs can also submit written questions on the Order Paper.
• According to House of Commons Procedure and Practice, “personal attacks, insults, and obscene language or words are not in order.” Calling a fellow member a liar is also considered unparliamentary – though Winston Churchill once used “terminological inexactitude” instead of “lie” in the British House of Commons.
• By tradition, MPs are not identified by their names in the House chamber. Instead they are referred to by their constituency or position (minister, parliamentary secretary, leader of the Official Opposition, House leaders, whips). And always as “honourable,” regardless of party or role.

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