Westminster Hall debates: 11 December 2012

The debates were two of five scheduled Westminster Hall debates that gave MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government Minister. 

Schedule of debates: 11 December 2012

9.30-11am – Strengthening governance and democracy in the overseas territories

Sir Alan Haselhurst, Conservative MP for Saffron Walden, moved a debate on strengthening governance and democracy in the overseas territories. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mark Simmonds, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Overseas Territories (Governance)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Overseas Territories (Governance)

11-11.30am – Department for Education jobs at Mowden Hall, Darlington

Jenny Chapman, Labour MP for Darlington, moved a debate on Department for Education jobs at Mowden Hall, Darlington.  Elizabeth Truss, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs)

2.30-4pm – Unmanned aerial vehicle deployment

Ms Gisela Stuart, Labour MP for Birmingham, Edgbaston, moved a debate on unmanned aerial vehicle deployment. Mr Philip Dunne, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

4-4.30pm – Health services in Cornwall

Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, moved a debate on Health Services in Cornwall. Anna Soubry, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Health Services (Cornwall)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Health Services (Cornwall)

4.30-5pm – UN anti-corruption day and UK efforts to tackle corruption

Catherine McKinnell, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, moved a debate on UN anti-corruption day and UK efforts to tackle corruption.  Miss Chloe Smith, Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Tackling Corruption
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Tackling Corruption

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.