Westminster Hall debates: 13 March 2012
14 March 2012 (updated on 14 March 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: 13 March 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 Pay and consultants in the public sector
Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for Hammersmith, moved a debate on excessive pay and use of consultants in the public sector which received an answer from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Chloe Smith.
- Parliament TV: Pay and consultants in the public sector
- Commons Hansard: Pay and consultants in the public sector
- Topics: Civil service
11.00-12.30pm Work experience
Marcus Jones, Conservative MP for Nuneaton, moved a debate on work experience which received an answer from the Minister of State for Employment, Chris Grayling.
12.30-1.00pm Investigation of suicides
Madeleine Moon, Labour MP for Bridgend, moved a debate on police practices for the investigation of suicides which received an answer from the Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Justice, Nick Herbert.
1.00-1.30pm Secondary ticketing
Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Hove, moved a debate on secondary ticketing which received an answer from the Minister of State for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson.
- Parliament TV: Secondary ticketing
- Commons Hansard: Secondary ticketing
- Topics: Sports and the Olympics
1.30-2.00pm Work capability assessment
Sheila Gilmore, Labour MP for Edinburgh East, moved a debate on employment and support allowance and the work capability assessment independent review which received an answer from the Minister of State for Employment, Chris Grayling.
- Parliament TV: Work capability assessment
- Commons Hansard: Work capability assessment
- Topics: Benefits policy
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.