Westminster Hall debates: 20 June 2012
21 June 2012 (updated on 21 June 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: 20 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 Agricultural employment
Gordon Henderson, Conservative MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, moved a debate on seasonal agricultural workers scheme which received an answer from the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, James Paice.
11.00-11.30am Gangmaster Licensing Authority
Stephen Barclay, Conservative MP for North East Cambridgeshire, moved a debate on future of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority which received an answer from the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, James Paice.
2.30-4.00pm Unemployment in the North East
Iain Wright, Labour MP for Hartlepool, moved a debate on unemployment in the North East which received an answer from the Assistant Whip in the Department for Work and Pensions, Stephen Crabb.
- Parliament TV: Unemployment in the North East
- Commons Hansard: Unemployment in the North East
- Topics: Unemployment
4.00-4.30pm Health and Safety Executive
Meg Munn, Labour and Co-operative MP for Sheffield, Heeley, moved a debate on the remit of the Health and Safety Executive which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Maria Miller.
- Parliament TV: Health and Safety Executive
- Commons Hansard: Health and Safety Executive
- Topics: Industrial health and safety
4.30-5.00pm Hospitals in Sussex
Stephen Lloyd, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne, moved a debate on proposed reconfiguration of hospitals in Sussex which received an answer from the Minister of State for Health, Simon Burns.
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.