An urgent question, formerly a Private Notice Question (PNQ) in the House of Commons, is a question of an urgent nature for which no previous notice has been given. It will relate to a matter of public importance or the arrangement of business. PNQs became urgent questions in the House of Commons at the start of the 2002/03 session. Urgent questions are still known as Private Notice Questions (PNQs) in the House of Lords.
Further information on this subject can be found from the following links.
House of Commons Information Office factsheet: Parliamentary Questions
Related glossary term: Questions