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Westminster Hall debates: 29 November 2011

30 November 2011 (updated on 30 November 2011)

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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: 29 November 2011

Five debates were held in Westminster Hall. 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.

9.30-11.00am Epilepsy

Steve McCabe, Labour MP for Selly Oak, moved a debate on prevention of avoidable deaths from epilepsy which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Health, Paul Burstow.

11.00-11.30pm Safety of HGV wheels

Paul Goggins, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, moved a debate on HGV wheel safety which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning.

2.30-4.00pm Girls and educational development

Esther McVey, Conservative MP for Wirral West, moved a debate on educational development for girls which received an answer from the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes.

4.00-4.30pm Park Homes

Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, moved a debate on Park Homes which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Stunnell.

4.30-5.00pm HIV in the UK

Pamela Nash, Labour MP for Airdrie and Shotts, moved a debate on HIV in the UK which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Anne Milton.

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.