Final answer:
Subsidiary motions cannot be applied to parliamentary inquiries as they serve distinct functions. Parliamentary inquiries are about clarifying procedure, while subsidiary motions modify or dispose of other motions. Parliamentary questions are vital for legislative oversight and are available to all legislators.
Step-by-step explanation:
A parliamentary inquiry is a request for information directed to the presiding officer in a legislative body. It aims to clarify parliamentary procedure or any question regarding the rights and privileges of members but does not relate to substantive motions, including subsidiary motions. Therefore, subsidiary motions cannot be directly applied to a parliamentary inquiry as they serve different purposes within parliamentary procedure. Subsidiary motions are used to modify or dispose of other motions, while a parliamentary inquiry serves to gain information.
Furthermore, the process of parliamentary questioning is a powerful tool for members of the legislature, including those from minority parties, who seek information from the bureaucracy. In some parliamentary systems, there is a designated time when legislators can pose questions in person, while in others, legislators submit written questions. These questions help legislators participate in policy areas of their interest without restrictions due to committee jurisdiction, making parliamentary questions a key element in legislative oversight.