For the uninitiated the practices of Parliament may seem antiquated and, like the offside rule, not understood by all!

So if you watched Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday you may have seen I asked the first question and after the Prime Minister's answer other MPs began standing up and sitting down ('bobbing') to 'catch the Speaker's eye' so they too could ask a question.

To the outside world it looks like chaos.

But to those in Parliament it is a finely tuned procedure.

To ask a question in Parliament you must submit a request and depending on the key issues in your constituency you will submit questions to specific departments.

However, every MP (apart from Ministers) every week will submit a questions for PMQs.

That means around 550 MPs putting in a request with only 15 being drawn out to be guaranteed to ask their question.

Quite literally a raffle takes place with names drawn out, guaranteeing those MPs can ask Theresa May anything they like and my name was fortunately drawn out first.

The bobbing is an opportunity for other MPs who weren't successful in being chosen to try and be selected by the Speaker to ask a question.

The Speaker ensures there is a balance of questions so all parties get a chance to ask questions. So if the lottery draws out 14 Conservative MPs and only two Labour, he will make sure opposition MPs are called in between the Conservative questions for fairness.

The Chamber is without doubt a daunting place, PMQs in particular is known for its rumbustious nature, but it's vital as an MP you are prepared to stand up and be counted.

I asked for the Prime Minister to reaffirm this Government's commitment to the Northern Powerhouse and for her to set out what schemes she was going to prioritise. I was delighted that Theresa May unequivocally declared the Government's support on this matter.

In reply to my question, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “She (Esther) refers to the voice of the North being heard and it has indeed been heard by the Conservatives in Government and that is why it is a Conservative government that committed and remains committed to the Northern Powerhouse. It is why it is a Conservative Government that is putting in the investment in skills and transport infrastructure into the Northern Powerhouse and we are backing business growth across the North, as I saw when I visited the North West last week."

The PM also said £13 billion of infrastructure investment is going into the North, including £60 million for looking at the Northern Powerhouse Rail - also known as HS3, which will connect Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull.

Mrs May added: “It is the Conservatives in Government that recognise the importance of a country that works for everyone and growth across the whole country.”