Westminster Hall debates 29 February 2012
1 March 2012 (updated on 1 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: 29 February 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 Trade Union Funding
Fiona Bruce, Conservative MP for Congleton, moved a debate on Trade Union Funding which received an answer from the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, Nick Hurd.
- Parliament TV: Trade Union Funding
- Commons Hansard: Trade Union Funding
- Topics: Industrial relations
11.00-11.30am Renewable energy
Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, moved a debate on renewable energy which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Charles Hendry.
2.30-4.00pm Scottish football, Tax liabilities
Thomas Docherty, Labour MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, moved a debate on Scottish Football, tax liabilities which received an answer from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke.
- Parliament TV: Scottish Football, tax liabilities
- Commons Hansard: Scottish Football, tax liabilities
- Topics: Taxation
4.00-4.30pm Daniel Morgan
Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, moved a debate on the investigations into the murder of Daniel Morgan which received an answer from the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, Nick Herbert.
4.30-5.00pm South West Marine Energy Park
George Eustace, Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth, moved a debate on South West Marine Energy Park which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Gregory Barker.
- Parliament TV: South West Marine Energy Park
- Commons Hansard: South West Marine Energy Park
- Topics: Energy
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.