Westminster Hall debates: 25 January 2012
27 January 2012 (updated on 27 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: 26 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 UK-India trade
Stephen Hammond, Conservative MP for Wimbledon, moved a debate on UK-India trade which received an answer from the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willets.
11.00-11.30am Scottish armed forces personnel
The debate schedule on participation of Scottish armed forces personnel in a referendum on Scottish independence did not take place.
2.30-4.00pm Postgraduate education
Barry Sheerman, Labour and Co-operative MP for Huddersfield, moved a debate on postgraduate education which received an answer from the Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts.
- Parliament TV: Postgraduate education
- Commons Hansard: Postgraduate education
- Topics: Higher education
4.00-4.30pm Stoma care
Jonathan Evans, Conservative MP for Cardiff North, moved a debate on sponsored nurses and off-script tendering in stoma care which received an answer from the Minister of State for Care Services, Paul Burstow.
4.30-5.00pm Micro-businesses
Anne Marie Morris, Conservative MP for Newton Abbot, moved a debate on Government policy on micro-businesses which received an answer from the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk.
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.