MEERA: Now as we learned earlier, there are 650 MPs. Watching on TV it doesn’t look like there’s room for everyone, so is it a free-for-all for seats? JOHN: Not quite! But unless you’re a frontbencher, whose seats are reserved, an MP has to use what’s called a card’ to ‘prayer reserve a seat for the day. By writing their name on a card and slotting it into the prayer card holder on the back of a seat they can reserve their seat for the day, so long as they turn up for prayers at the beginning of the day’s sitting. Any minister, including the Prime Minister, that is making a speech to the House or replying to questions from other Members, stands at what's called the despatch box, which sits on the Table of the House in front of the Government benches. A similar despatch box on the side of the Table is used by Opposition frontbenchers. The Speaker’s role is to keep order in the House of Commons, particularly during very rowdy and busy debates. <<AUDIO OF SPEAKER CALLING FOLLOWED “ORDER” BY AN EFFORT TO MOVE PROCEEDINGS ALONG>>
MEERA: Now as we learned earlier, there are 650 MPs. Watching on TV it doesn’t look like there’s room for everyone, so is it a free-for-all for seats? JOHN: Not quite! But unless you’re a frontbencher, whose seats are reserved, an MP has to use what’s called a ‘prayer card’ to reserve a seat for the day. By writing their name on a card and slotting it into the prayer card holder on the back of a seat they can reserve their seat for the day, so long as they turn up for prayers at the beginning of the day’s sitting. Any minister, including the Prime Minister, that is making a speech to the House or replying to questions from other Members, stands at what's called the despatch box, which sits on the Table of the House in front of the Government benches. A similar despatch box on the side of the Table is used by Opposition frontbenchers. The Speaker’s role is to keep order in the House of Commons, particularly during very rowdy and busy debates. <<AUDIO OF SPEAKER CALLING “ORDER” FOLLOWED BY AN EFFORT TO MOVE PROCEEDINGS ALONG>>
Parliament%20Explained%20Ep%202%20Script.docx