Westminster Hall debates: 23 May 2012
24 May 2012 (updated on 24 May 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: 23 May 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 Hot takeaway food VAT
Stephen Gilbert, Liberal Democrat MP for St Austell and Newquay, moved a debate on VAT on hot takeaway food which received an answer from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke.
11.00-11.30am Pancreatic cancer
Eric Ollerenshaw, Conservative MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, moved a debate on pancreatic cancer outcomes which received an answer from the Minister of State for Health, Simon Burns.
2.30-4.00pm Dangerous dogs
Chris Evans, Labour and Co-operative MP for Islwyn, moved a debate on dangerous dogs legislation which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Richard Benyon.
4.00-4.30pm Scottish-recruited units
Pete Wishart, Scottish Nationalist MP for Perth and North Perthshire, moved a debate on future of Scottish-recruited units which received an answer from the Minister for the Armed Forces, Nick Harvey.
- Parliament TV: Scottish-recruited units
- Commons Hansard: Scottish-recruited units
- Topics: Armed forces
4.30-5.00pm Petrol and diesel
Robert Halfon, Conservative MP for Harlow, moved a debate on the cost of petrol and diesel which received an answer from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Chloe Smith.
- Parliament TV: Petrol and diesel
- Commons Hansard: Petrol and diesel
- Topics: Oil, petrol and natural gas
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.