Westminster Hall debates: 24 April 2012
25 April 2012 (updated on 25 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: 24 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 School funding
Richard Graham, Conservative MP for Gloucester, moved a debate on school funding which received an answer from the Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb.
11.00-12.30pm Human rights in Uganda
Jim Shannon, Democratic Unionist MP for Strangford, moved a debate on human rights in Uganda which received an answer from the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jeremy Browne.
12.30-1.00pm Association of Chief Police Officers
Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, moved a debate on the future of the Association of Chief Police Officers which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime and Security, James Brokenshire.
- Parliament TV: Association of Chief Police Officers
- Commons Hansard: Association of Chief Police Officers
- Topics: Police
1.00-1.30pm Equality and Human Rights Commission
Sandra Osborne, Labour MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, moved a debate on Government policy on the Equality and Human Rights Commission which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime and Security, James Brokenshire.
- Parliament TV: Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Commons Hansard: Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Topics: Equality
1.30-2.00pm Procurement by local authorities
John Stevenson, Conservative MP for Carlisle, moved a debate on procurement of local services and goods by local authorities which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Stunell.
- Parliament TV: Procurement by local authorities
- Commons Hansard: Procurement by local authorities
- Topics: Local government
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.