Debate on libel law and reporting of parliamentary proceedings
22 October 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
Liberal Democrat MP, Evan Harris, opened a Westminister Hall adjournment debate on the effect of English libel law on the reporting of parliamentary proceedings. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Bridget Prentice, responded for the Government
- Commons Hansard: Libel law and the reporting of parliamentary proceedings
- Video and Audio: Libel law and the reporting of parliamentary proceedings
- Topical issues: Parliament
- About Parliament: Adjournment debates
An adjournment debate is simply a way of having a general debate without requiring the House to vote.
At sittings in Westminster Hall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays there are two one-and-a-half hour debates and three half-hour debates. The one-and-a-half hour debates are intended to be more general involving a number of MPs.
Each government department is available to respond to debates only every other week, according to a rota.