Westminster Hall debates: 24 October 2012
25 October 2012 (updated on 25 October 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: 24 October 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 Offshore wind generation
Albert Owen, Labour MP for Ynys Môn, moved a debate on offshore wind generation in North Wales which received an answer from the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, John Hayes.
- Parliament TV: Offshore wind generation
- Commons Hansard: Offshore wind generation
- Topics: Renewable energy
11.00-11.30am Rail freight traffic
Sandra Osborne, Labour MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, moved a debate on proposed variable usage charges on rail freight traffic which received an answer from the Minister of State for Transport, Simon Burns.
2.30-4.00pm School governors
Neil Carmichael, Conservative MP for Stroud, moved a debate on the role and recruitment of school governors which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Elizabeth Truss.
4.00-4.30pm There was no debate
4.30-5.00pm Baha'i community in Iran
Naomi Long, Alliance MP for Belfast East, moved a debate on discrimination against the Baha'i community in Iran which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Alistair Burt.
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.