Westminster Hall debates: 18 April 2012
19 April 2012
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: 18 April 2012
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 Mental health care in Hampshire
Dr Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, moved a debate on the proposed closure of adult acute mental health beds in Hampshire, which received an answer from the Minister of State for Health, Simon Burns.
- Parliament TV: Mental health care in Hampshire
- Commons Hansard: Mental health care in Hampshire
- Topics: Mental health
11.00-11.30am Young entrepreneurs
Justin Tomlinson, Conservative MP for North Swindon, moved a debate on encouraging young entrepreneurs which received an answer from the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk.
2.30-4.00pm Ministry Of Defence Logistics at Bicester
Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, moved a debate on Ministry Of Defence Logistics at Bicester which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equipment, Support and Technology in the Ministry of Defence, Peter Luff.
- Parliament TV: Ministry Of Defence logistics at Bicester
- Commons Hansard: Ministry of Defence logistics at Bicester
- Topics: Defence equipment and procurement
4.00-4.30pm High Speed 2 in Scotland
Lindsay Roy, Labour MP for Glenrothes, moved a debate on High Speed 2 in Scotland which received an answer from the Minister of State for Rail and Aviation, Theresa Villiers.
4.30-5.00pm Flood defences
Neil Carmichael, Conservative MP for Stroud, moved a debate on the review of flood defences which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon.
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.