Hearing positive little thing being discussed (2,8)

I believe the answer is:

in question

'being discussed' is the definition.

'hearing positive little thing' is the wordplay.
'hearing' becomes 'inquest' (type of hearing).
'positive little thing' becomes 'ion' (charged particle).
'inquest'+'ion'='IN QUESTION'

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.

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