Westminster Hall debates: 2 November 2011
3 November 2011 (updated on 3 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 2 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.
09.30-11.00 Parlaimentary lobbying
Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport West, moved a debate on parliamentary lobbying which received an answer from the Parliamentary Secretary for Political and Consitutional Reform, Mark Harper.
11.00-11:30 Living standards in Telford
David Wright, Labour MP for Telford, moved a debate on living standards in Telford which received an answer from the Parlaimentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Maria Miller.
- Parliament TV: Living standards in Telford
- Commons Hansard: Living standards in Telford
- Topics: Incomes and poverty
14.30-16.00 High-Speed rail
Paul Maynard, Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, moved a debate on high-speed rail which received an answer from the Minister of State for Rail, Theresa Villiers.
16.00-16.30 Loft conversions
Bob Russell, Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester, moved a debate on loft conversions which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Edward Davey.
16.30-17.00 Carbon monoxide poisoning
Barry Sheerman, Labour/Co-op MP for Huddersfield, moved a debate on carbon monoxide poisoning which received an answer from the Minister of State for Work and Pensions, Chris Grayling.
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.