Artikel 68: Duty of ministers and state secretaries to provide information; interpellation

Artikel 68

Ministers and State Secretaries shall provide, orally or in writing, the Houses either separately or in joint session with any information requested by one or more members, provided that the provision of such information does not conflict with the interests of the State.

In andere talen:

English

Ministers and State Secretaries shall provide, orally or in writing, the Houses either separately or in joint session with any information requested by one or more members, provided that the provision of such information does not conflict with the interests of the State.

Français

Les ministres et les secrétaires d'État donnent aux Chambres siégeant séparément ou réunies en une seule assemblée, oralement ou par écrit, les renseignements désirés par un ou plusieurs des membres, dont la communication ne peut être jugée contraire à l'intérêt de l'État.

Deutsch

Die Minister und die Staatssekretäre erteilen den Kammern gesondert und in einer Vollversammlung mündlich oder schriftlich die von einem oder mehreren Mitgliedern gewünschten Auskünfte, wenn dies nicht dem Interesse des Staates widerspricht.

Español

Los Ministros y los Secretarios de Estado darán a las Cámaras, bien por separado bien reunidas en sesión conjunta, oralmente o por escrito, los informes que uno o más de sus miembros soliciten, siempre que el suministro de esos informes no sea contrario a los intereses del Estado.

Explanation

Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect. 

The most important right of oversight of the House of Representatives and the Senate is the right of every individual Member of Parliament to obtain information from Ministers and State Secretaries by means of questions. Ministers and State Secretaries are obliged to provide the requested information orally or in writing.

An exception may be made only if providing information could violate the interests of the State. Examples include sensitive information regarding public contracts awarded to companies or information in the context of counter-terrorism. Information may also be provided confidentially. This is the case, for example, with the Committee on Intelligence and Security Services.

The right to information extends to all questions asked, for instance in debates or during the written preparation for the consideration of legislative proposals.

In addition, the Houses contain provisions in their Rules of Procedure for asking and answering written questions, for the right of interpellation, and for the right of inquiry. Every week, during the so-called Question Hour, Members of the House of Representatives may ask oral questions on current topics for one hour.