Westminster Hall debates: 15 November 2011
16 November 2011 (updated on 16 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 for 15 November 2011
Watch and read the five debates and 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.
9.30-11.00am Eurozone crises
John Baron, Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, moved a debate on the International Monetary Fund and the Eurozone crises which received an answer from the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mark Hoban.
11.00-12.30pm Bletchley-Oxford rail link
Iain Stewart, Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, moved a debate on East-West rail link between Bletchley and Oxford which received an answer from the Minister of State for railways, Theresa Villiers.
- Parliament TV: Bletchley-Oxford rail link
- Commons Hansard: Bletchley-Oxford rail link
- Topics: Railways
2.30-4.00pm Aviation industry
Brian H. Donohoe, Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, moved a debate on the future of the UK aviation industry which received an answer from the Minister of State for Aviation, Theresa Villiers.
4.00-4.30pm Bank account fraud
Stephen Timms, Labour MP for East Ham, moved a debate on the effect of fraud on access to bank accounts which received an answer from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke.
4.30-5.00pm Planning guidance in Northumberland
Sir Alan Beith, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, moved a debate on implications for Northumberland of proposed planning guidance which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Robert Neill.
- Parliament TV: Planning guidance in Northumberland
- Commons Hansard: Planning guidance in Northumberland
- Topics: Planning
Westminster Hall debates
Westminster Hall adjournment debates allow MPs to discuss issues of local or personal interest which rarely have time to be debated in the main Chamber of the House of Commons. MPs can discuss a variety of issues and receive a response from a government Minister.