Rule 130b : Major interpellations for written answer with debate

1.   In major interpellations, consisting in questions for written answer with debate, those questions may be put to the Council, the Commission or the Vice-President of the Commission/High-Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy by a committee, a political group or at least five percent of Parliament’s component Members. Questions may include a brief explanatory statement.

Such questions shall be submitted in writing to the President who, provided that the questions are in accordance with these Rules of Procedure generally and that they fulfil the criteria laid down in an annex to these Rules of Procedure (1), shall immediately inform the addressee of the question and ask the addressee to state whether it will be answered and, if so, when.

2.   On receipt of the written reply, the major interpellation shall be placed on the draft agenda of Parliament in accordance with the procedure provided for in Rule 149. A debate must be held if a committee, a political group or at least five per cent of Parliament’s component Members so demand.

3.   If the addressee refuses to answer the question or fails to do so within three weeks, the question shall be placed on the draft agenda. A debate must be held if a committee, a political group or at least five per cent of Parliament’s component Members so demand. Prior to the debate one of the questioners may be given leave to state supplementary reasons for the question.

4.   One of the questioners may move the question in Parliament. One member of the institution concerned shall answer.

Rule 123(2) to (5) concerning the tabling of, and voting on, motions for resolutions shall apply mutatis mutandis.

5.   Such questions, as well as the answers to them, shall be published on Parliament's website.