Lok Sabha Reminds MPs: Replies to Questions Stay Confidential Until Tabled
The Lok Sabha secretariat has issued a reminder to Members of Parliament that the contents of written replies to parliamentary questions remain 'strictly confidential' until they are presented by ministers during Question Hour. The directive, published in a bulletin on Saturday, aims to prevent premature disclosure of answers to the media or on social media.
According to the bulletin, replies to questions designated for oral answer are also confidential until the question has been actually asked and answered in the House. If a question is not taken up for oral answer, the reply cannot be released until the conclusion of the Question Hour. Similarly, replies to written questions must be treated as confidential until they have been laid on the Table of the House and the Question Hour concludes.
The secretariat emphasised that a reply is considered final only in the form it appears in the official proceedings of the House for a particular date. This means that any earlier disclosure, whether through media leaks or social media posts by MPs, undermines the integrity of parliamentary procedure.
In recent sessions, there have been instances where MPs shared answers they received with journalists or on social media platforms before the official release by Parliament officials. The bulletin serves as a caution against such practices, reiterating the long-standing rule of confidentiality.
The Question Hour in the Lok Sabha is held from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, while in the Rajya Sabha it takes place from 12 noon to 1 p.m. During this hour, ministers respond to questions from members, and the proceedings are recorded. The confidentiality rule ensures that all members receive the information at the same time during the official session.
This reminder comes ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament, where a heavy schedule of questions is expected. The secretariat has urged all MPs to adhere strictly to the guidelines to maintain the sanctity of parliamentary proceedings.
