Four short debates in the Lords

Lords Thursday debates  

One Thursday each month, the House of Lords holds four short debates in Grand Committee. On Thursday 6 July, members debated the following topics:  

International Widows’ Day

Members discussed the United Nations’ International Widows’ Day and the economic independence and discrimination of widows, proposed by Lord Loomba (Crossbench).  

• read the House of Lords Library briefing on this debate 

Graduate workers in trade unions

Members discussed the lives and prospects of skilled professional graduate workers who are members of a trade union, proposed by Lord Balfe (Conservative). 

• read the House of Lords Library briefing on this debate 

Geothermal energy in Great Britain

Members debated the geothermal potential for heat and power in Great Britain, proposed by Lord Cameron of Dillington (Crossbench). 

• read the House of Lords Library briefing on this debate 

Sino-British relations

Members considered Sino-British relations following the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre and the recent suppression of peaceful demonstrations in Hong Kong, proposed by Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour). 

• read the House of Lords Library briefing on this debate 

Get involved  

Watch and read   

Catch up on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcripts.  

Short debates  

Questions for Short Debate are an opportunity for members to draw the government’s attention to concerns and hold it to account. They last for about 60 minutes, a minister or spokesperson responds on behalf of the government at the end.  

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