Westminster Hall debates: 18 January 2012
19 January 2012 (updated on 19 January 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 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 Port of Southampton
John Denham, Labout MP for Southampton, Itchen, moved a debate on the future of the port of Southampton which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning.
11.00-11.30am Tennis
Meg Munn, Labour/Co-operative MP for Sheffield, Heeley, moved a debate on tennis which received an answer from the Minister for Sport and Olympics, Hugh Robertson.
2.30-4.00pm Northern Rail Hub
Jason McCartney, Conservative MP for Colne Valley, moved a debate on the northern rail hub which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Transport, Theresa Villiers.
4.15-4.40pm Melanoma
Pauline Latham, Conservative MP for Mid Derbyshire, moved a debate on melanoma which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Health Paul Burstow.
4.30-5.10pm Female employment, Scotland
Ann McKechin, Labour MP for Glasgow North, moved a debate on female employment in Scotland which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.
- Parliament TV: Female employment, Scotland
- Commons Hansard: Female employment, Scotland
- Topics: Employment and training
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.