Westminster Hall debates: 31 January 2012
1 February 2012 (updated on 1 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: 31 January 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 Falkland Islands
Guy Opperman, Conservative MP for Hexham, moved a debate on the future of the Falkland Islands which received an answer from the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jeremy Browne.
11.00-12.30pm Policing in North Wales
Susan Elan Jones, Labour MP for Clwyd South, moved a debate on policing in North Wales which received an answer from the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, Nick Herbert.
12.30-1.00pm Promotion of social mobility
Esther McVey, Conservative MP for Wirral West, moved a debate on promotion of social mobility which received an answer from the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts.
1.00-1.30pm Inflammatory bowel disease
Chris Evans, Labour/Co-operative MP for Islwyn, moved a debate on employment opportunities for people with inflammatory bowel disease which received an answer from the Minister of State for Employment, Chris Grayling.
- Parliament TV: Inflammatory bowel disease
- Commons Hansard: Inflammatory bowel disease
- Topics: Employment
1.30-2.00pm Offshore renewable energy in East Anglia
Peter Aldous, Conservative MP for Waveney, moved a debate on offshore renewable energy in East Anglia which received an answer from the Minister of State for Renewable Energy, Charles Hendry.
- Parliament TV: Offshore renewable energy in East Anglia
- Commons Hansard: Offshore renewable energy in East Anglia
- Topics: Renewable energy
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.