Westminster Hall debates: Wednesday 7 March
7 March 2012 (updated on 7 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: 6 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 Manufacturing and engineering
Neil Carmichael, Conservative MP for Stroud, moved a debate on manufacturing and engineering which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Norman Lamb.
- Parliament TV: Manufacturing and engineering
- Commons Hansard: Manufacturing and engineering
- Topics: Manufacturing industries
11.00-12.30pm Council and social housing
Austin Mitchell, Labour MP for Great Grimsby, moved a debate on council and social housing which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Stunell.
- Parliament TV: Council and social housing
- Commons Hansard: Council and social housing
- Topics: Housing and planning
12.30-1.00pm Rossendale rail link
Jake Berry, Conservative MP for Rossnedale and Darwen, moved a debate on the Rossendale rail link which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker.
1.00-1.30pm Not for profit advice sector
Yvonne Fovargue, Labour MP for Makerfield, moved a debate on the not for profit advice sector which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Jonathan Djanogly.
- Parliament TV: Not for profit advice sector
- Commons Hansard: Not for profit advice sector
- Topics: Crime, civil law, justice and rights
1.30-2.00pm Sustainable communities act
Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, moved a debate on the sustainable communities act which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark.
- Parliament TV: Sustainable communities act
- Commons Hansard: Sustainable communities act
- Topics: Housing and planning
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.