Westminster Hall debates: 10 July 2012
11 July 2012 (updated on 11 July 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: 10 July 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 BBC
Daniel Kawczynski, Conservative MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham moved a debate on the BBC which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Edward Vaizey.
11.00-12.30pm Scottish Separation
Graeme Morrice, Labour MP for Livingston moved a debate on Scottish Separation which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell.
12.30-1.00pm Community banks
Guy Opperman, Conservative MP for Hexam moved a debate on Community Banks which received an answer from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke.
1.00-1.30pm NHS Services, Trafford
Paul Goggins, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East moved a debate on NHS Services in Trafford which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Health, Simon Burns.
1.30-2.00pm Illegally tethered horses
Julian Sturdy, Conservative MP for York Outer, moved a debate on illegally tethered horses which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Richard Benyon.
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.