Westminster Hall debates: 7 March 2012
8 March 2012 (updated on 8 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: 7 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 Fire service in metropolitan areas
Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South East, moved a debate on the funding of the fire service in metropolitan areas which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Robert Neill.
- Parliament TV: Fire service in metropolitan areas
- Commons Hansard: Fire service in metropolitian areas
- Topics: Fire service
11.00-11.30am DVLA closures in Scotland
Frank Doran, Labour MP for Aberdeen North, moved a debate on the effect of Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) closure in Scotland which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning.
- Parliament TV: DVLA closures in Scotland
- Commons Hansard: DVLA closures in Scotland
- Topics: Transport
2.30-4.00pm Veterans' mental health
Julian Sturdy, Conservative MP for Outer York, moved a debate on raising awareness of veterans' mental health which received an answer from the Minister of State for Health, Simon Burns.
- Parliament TV: Veterans' mental health
- Commons Hansard: Veterans' mental health
- Topics: Mental health
4.00-4.30pm Export of Typhoon aircraft
Mark Menzies, Conservative MP for Fylde, moved a debate on support for export of Typhoon aircraft which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Gerald Howarth.
- Parliament TV: Export of Typhoon aircraft
- Commons Hansard: Export of Typhoon aircraft
- Topics: Defence equipment and procurement
4.30-5.00pm Syria and Lebanon
Andrew Love, Labour/Co-operative MP for Edmonton, moved a debate on the effect of the situation in Syria on Lebanon which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foriegn and Commonwealth Affairs, Henry Bellingham.
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.