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Westminster Hall debates: 12 June 2012

13 June 2012 (updated on 13 June 2012)

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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: 12 June 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 Interoperability of emergency services

Mark Pawsey, Conservative MP for Rugby, moved a debate on interoperability between the emergency services which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime and Security, James Brokenshire.

11.00-12.30pm Homelessness

Karen Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, moved a debate on homelessness which received an answer from the Minister of State for Housing and Local Government, Grant Shapps.

12.30-1.00pm Homophobic bullying in schools

Iain Stewart, Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, moved a debate on homophobic bullying in schools which received an answer from the Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb.

1.00-1.30pm Food crises in the Sahel

Tony Cunningham, Labour MP for Workington, moved a debate on the food crises in the Sahel which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for International Development, Stephen O'Brien.

1.30-2.00pm Rail infrastructure in Merseyside 

Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral South, moved a debate on rail infrastructure in Merseyside and the surrounding area which received an answer from the Minister of State for Transport, Theresa Villiers.

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.

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