Debate on Afghanistan and Pakistan
7 July 2011 (updated on 7 July 2011)
Richard Ottaway, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee moved a debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday 6 July on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Watch and read the views expressed by MPs during the debate on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard.
- Parliament TV: Debate on Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Commons Hansard: Debate on Afghanistan and Pakistan
This was the third allotted estimates day of session 2010-12 to debate estimates presented to Parliament. Estimates for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for Communities and Local Government and Home Office, and other estimates, were laid before Parliament.
Foreign Affairs Committee
The Foreign Affairs Committee published a report on the UK’s foreign policy approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan in February 2011. The Government responded to the Foreign Affairs Committee report in May 2011.
- Foreign Affairs Committee, Fourth Report: The UK’s foreign policy approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Government response to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Fourth Report: The UK’s foreign policy approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan. (PDF 751KB)
Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill
Estimates for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for Communities and Local Government and Home Office, and other estimates, which were laid before Parliament were agreed to and a Bill was presented before Parliament. This is known as the Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill.
Estimates days
All public spending has to be approved by Parliament. Estimates of spending are presented to Parliament and three 'estimates days' are set aside each year to debate the content of those estimates presented. In practice, estimates days are often used for debating one or more estimates or select committee reports chosen by the Liaison Committee.
- House of Commons Information Office Factsheet: Financial Procedure
- House of Commons Liaison Committee
Debates
Debates are an opportunity for MPs to discuss government policy, proposed new laws and current issues. It allows MPs to voice the concerns and interests of their constituents.