Westminster Hall debates: 1 November 2011
2 November 2011 (updated on 2 November 2011)
Westminster Hall debates provide MPs with an opportunity to debate local or national issues and to receive a response from a government Minister.
Westminster Hall debates
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays there are two one and a half hour debates and three half hour debates. The longer debates are intended for broader subjects where a number of MPs will want to speak. The shorter debates may focus on an issue that an MP may want to raise about their constituency.
Two ballots are held on the Wednesday of the previous week for each type of debate; MPs may enter into both ballots but can only be successful in one.
Each government department responds to the debates every other week according to a rota.
The Chair is taken by a member of the Panel of Chairs, with the same duties and powers conferred on Deputy Speakers.
Westminster Hall debates: 1 November 2011
Five debates were held in Westminster Hall on 1 November 2011
Watch and read the views expressed by MPs during the debates via the links to Parliament TV and Commons Hansard.
Also, find more information about current parliamentary material in the Topics section on the Parliament website.
09.30-11.00 UK Relations: Libya
Daniel Kawczynski, Conservative MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, moved a debate on UK relations with Libya which received an answer from the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Jeremy Browne.
11.00-12.30 Regional Growth Fund
Angela Smith, Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, moved a debate on the regional growth fund which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mark Prisk.
- Parliament TV: Regional Growth Fund
- Commons Hansard: Regional Growth Fund
- Topics: Business, industry and consumers
12.30-13.00 Alcohol (Under-18s)
Stephen Gilbert, Liberal Democrat MP for St Austell and Newquay, moved a debate on under-age drinking which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State the Home Department, James Brokenshire.
- Parliament TV: Alcohol (Under-18s)
- Commons Hansard: Alcohol (Under-18s)
- Topics: Health Services and Medicine
13.00-13.30 UK Relations: Ukraine
Helen Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, moved a debate on UK relations with Ukraine which received an answer from the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Jeremy Browne.
- Parliament TV: UK Relations: Ukraine
- Commons Hansard: UK Relations: Ukraine
- Topics: International affairs
13.30-14.00 Cruise ship safety
Stephen Mosley, Conservative MP for the City of Chester, moved a debate on cruise ship safety which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning.