Debate on Humberside probation service
30 April 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
Scunthorpe MP, Elliot Morley, leads Commons adjournment debate on proposed cuts to the Humberside probation service
An adjournment debate is simply a way in the Commons of having a general debate without requiring the House to vote.
There is a half-hour adjournment debate at the end of each day’s sitting. Members apply for an adjournment debate to the Speakers Office. Subject matters of adjournment debates are varied; examples include debates on defence issues, pensions and combating benefit fraud. The Speaker chooses Thursday’s subject; for other days, MPs are selected by ballot.
The MP who tabled the relevant adjournment debate is called to speak and a Minister will reply. The MP has no right of response, but can intervene in the Minister’s speech if he or she is willing to allow it (called ‘giving way’).