Westminster Hall debates: 4 July 2012
5 July 2012 (updated on 6 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: 4 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 Aviation
Mark Reckless, Conservative MP for Rochester and Strood, moved a debate on aviation which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department for Transport, Theresa Villiers.
11.00-11.30am Voluntary sector
Stephen McPartland, Conservative MP for Stevenage, moved a debate on the voluntary sector which received an answer from the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, Nick Hurd.
2.30-4.00pm West Bank, Area C
Frank Doran, Labour MP for Aberdeen North, moved a debate on the West Bank, Area C which received an answer from the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Alistair Burt.
4.00-4.30pm Nuclear power
Margaret Ritchie, SDLP MP for South Down, moved a debate on nuclear power which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Charles Hendry.
4.30-5.00pm Cruise Market, competition
Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, moved a debate on Cruise Market competition which received an answer from the the Parliametary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning.
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.