Westminster Hall debates: 11 July 2012
12 July 2012 (updated on 12 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: 11 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 Hospital services in West London
Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for Hammersmith, moved a debate on closure of hospital services in West London which received an answer from the Minister of State for Health, Simon Burns.
- Parliament TV: Hospital services in West London
- Commons Hansard: Hospital services in West London
- Topics: Health services
11.00-11.30am Oceans and marine eco-systems
Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East, moved a debate on protecting oceans and marine eco-systems which received an answer from the Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, James Paice.
- Parliament TV: Oceans and marine eco-systems
- Commons Hansard: Oceans and marine eco-systems
- Topics: Marine environment
2.30-4.00pm Child Support Agency
Nicky Morgan, Conservative MP for Loughborough, moved a debate on reform of the Child Support Agency which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Maria Miller.
4.00-4.30pm Local authorities in Cumbria
John Stevenson, Conservative MP for Carlisle, moved a debate on local authorities in Cumbria which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Robert Neill.
- Parliament TV: Local authorities in Cumbria
- Commons Hansard: Local authorities in Cumbria
- Topics: Local government
4.30-5.00pm Co-operative housing
Jonathan Reynolds, Labour/Co-op MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, moved a debate on potential effects of the Berrisford vs. Mexfield Housing Co-operative Ltd Supreme Court judgment on the future of co-operative housing in the UK which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Stunell.
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.