Westminster Hall debates: 27 June 2012
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: 27 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 Council tax benefit localisation
Yvonne Fovargue, Labour MP for Makerfield, moved a debate on effects of council tax benefit localisation which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Stunell.
- Parliament TV: Council tax benefit localisation
- Commons Hansard: Council tax benefit localisation
- Topics: Housing benefits
11.00-11.30am Human rights in Kashmir
Denis MacShane, Labour MP for Rotherham, moved a debate on human rights in Kashmir which received an answer from the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jeremy Browne.
- Parliament TV: Human rights in Kashmir
- Commons Hansard: Human rights in Kashmir
- Topics: Human rights
2.30-4.00pm Alan Turing
Dr Julian Huppert, Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge, moved a debate on centenary of the birth of Alan Turing which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Crispin Blunt.
4.00-4.30pm No debate
4.30-5.00pm Policy on rail lineside vegetation
Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North, moved a debate on Network Rail policy on lineside vegetation which received an answer from the Minister of State for Rail, Theresa Villiers.
- Parliament TV: Policy on rail lineside vegetation
- Commons Hansard: Policy on rail lineside vegetation
- Topics: Railways
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.