This time debate focused on proposed cuts to police budgets and how authorities cooperate in the protection of children -- the latter sparked by the recent murder of a young girl in Helsinki.

Finance Minister Jutta Urpilainen said there must be zero tolerance for violence against children.

However most of the six-party government's 19 ministers were away, either because of travel or illness. The debate was moderated by a deputy speaker and the MPs most noted for delivering stinging or witty comments held their tongues.

Help for the hearing-impaired

Thursday's Question Time was historic, though, in that the TV broadcast was for the first time interpreted into Finnish sign language. This marked the launch of a pilot project that runs through the end of the year. Two interpreters took 10-minute turns to interpret the politicians' speeches.

Question Time is usually held every Thursday between 4 and 5pm while the legislature is in session. MPs can pose surprise questions on any topic to members of the cabinet, moderated by the Speaker of Parliament. Comments by MPs are limited to one minute each to ensure a lively, rapid-paced debate.

Yle's TV1 always broadcasts the sessions, which are surprisingly popular. Last spring's broadcasts attracted audiences of up to 400,000 viewers.