Westminster Hall debates: 28 February 2012
29 February 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: 28 February 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 Women in the Church of England
Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull North, moved a debate on women in the Church of England which received an answer from the Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty's Treasury, James Duddridge.
- Parliament TV: Women in the Church of England
- Commons Hansard: Women in the Church of England
- Topics: Church and state
11.00-12.30pm Media regulation
Chris Bryant, Labour MP for Rhondda, moved a debate on media regulation which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Edward Vaizey.
12.30-1.00pm Energy suppliers and prices
Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton, Pavilion, moved a debate on energy suppliers and prices which received an answer from the Minister of State for Renewable Energy, Charles Hendry.
- Parliament TV: Energy suppliers and prices
- Commons Hansard: Energy suppliers and prices
- Topics: Energy
1.00-1.30pm Jam jar bank accounts and low-income customers
Damian Hinds, Conservative MP for East Hampshire, moved a debate on jam jar bank accounts which received an answer from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Chloe Smith.
- Parliament TV: Jam jar bank accounts and low-income customers
- Commons Hansard: Jam jar bank accounts and low-income customers
- Topics: Financial institutions
1.30-2.00pm Clean coal
Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, moved a debate on economic potential of clean coal which received an answer from the Minister of State for Renewable Energy, Charles Hendry.
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.