Westminster Hall debates: 3 July 2012
4 July 2012 (updated on 4 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: 3 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 Elections, National Assembly for Wales
Paul Murphy, Labour MP for Torfaen, moved a debate on electoral arrangements for the National Assembly in Wales which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones.
- Parliament TV: Elections, National Assembly for Wales
- Commons Hansard: Elections, National Assembly for Wales
- Topics: National Assembly for Wales
11.00-1.30pm Rail, East Anglia
Therese Coffey, Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal, moved a debate on rail in East Anglia which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Transport, Theresa Villiers.
1.00-1.30pm Police, Surrey
Dominic Raab, Conservative MP for Esher and Walton moved a debate on police funding in Surrey which received an answer from the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, Nick Herbert.
1.30-2.00pm Millenium Development Goals
Virendra Sharma, Labour MP for Ealing, Southall, moved a debate on the Millenium Development Goals which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department for International Development, Alan Duncan.
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.