Westminster Hall debates: 26 June 2012
27 June 2012 (updated on 28 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: 26 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 Women in the global economy
Ester McVey, Conservative MP for Wirral West, moved a debate on women in the global economy which received an answer from the Minister for Equalities, Lynne Featherstone.
- Parliament TV: Women in the global economy
- Commons Hansard: Women in the global economy
- Topics: Equality
11.00-12.30pm Educational attainment
Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, moved a debate on educational attainment in black and minority ethnic communities which received an answer from the Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb.
12.30-1.00pm Rail-air connectivity
Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley, moved a debate on improving rail-air connectivity in the South East which received an answer from the Minister of State for Transport, Theresa Villiers.
1.00-1.30pm Legal aid and mesothelioma victims
Bill Esterson, Labour MP for Sefton Central, moved a debate on the effect of legal aid reform on mesothelioma victims which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Crispin Blunt.
- Parliament TV: Legal aid and mesothelioma victims
- Commons Hansard: Legal aid and mesothelioma victims
- Topics: Legal aid
1.30-2.00pm Neglected tropical diseases
Jeremy Lefroy, Conservative MP for Stafford, moved a debate on neglected tropical diseases which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, Stephen O'Brien.
- Parliament TV: Neglected tropical diseases
- Commons Hansard: Neglected tropical diseases
- Topics: Diseases
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.