South West round-up: 29 January 2010

Written questions

• Commons Hansard: Classroom assistants in Stroud
• Commons Hansard: Number of electors in the Bristol South constituency
• Commons Hansard: Fuel poverty in Torbay

In addition to oral questions, MPs and Peers can ask government ministers questions for written answer. These are often used to obtain detailed information about policies and statistics on the activities of government departments.

Debates

• Video: Primary and secondary education in Devon
• Commons Hansard: Primary and secondary education in Devon
• Video: Water charging in the South West
• Commons Hansard: Water charging in the South West

An adjournment debate is a way of having a general debate without requiring the House to vote. The MP who tabled the relevant adjournment debate is called to speak and a Minister will reply.

Oral questions

• Video: Swindon to Kemble railway line

Question Time in the Commons takes place for an hour Monday to Thursday after prayers. Each government department answers questions according to a rota called the Order of Oral Questions. The questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the government department concerned.

South West Select Committee

• South West Select Committee home page

The South West Committee covers the following local government areas: Bath & NE Somerset, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Plymouth, Poole, Somerset, Swindon, Torbay and Wiltshire.

The remit of the Committee is to examine regional strategies and the work of regional bodies.

Forthcoming Parliamentary Outreach events

• Bridport - 1-2 February: Free Rethink Parliament art workshops

• Kingswood - 3-4 February: Free Rethink Parliament art workshops

• Kingsley Village, Penhale - 11 February: ‘Your Voice’ – free one-day conference on how to take part in decisions that matter to you, with Take Part Cornwall

• Bristol - 18 February: Workshop on engaging with Parliament for Black South West Network members

• Plymouth - 22 February: Workshop on engaging with Parliament for Black South West Network members

• Taunton - 25 February: Two workshops on engaging with Parliament for Taunton Citizens Advice Bureau volunteers and staff

The South West Parliamentary Outreach Service organises and participates in parliamentary training sessions, events and exhibitions.

For further information on Parliamentary Outreach or any of the events listed above, contact Naomi Kent at kentn@parliament.uk.