Westminster Hall debates: 12 September 2012
13 September 2012 (updated on 13 September 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: 12 September 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 Human rights violations
Robert Buckland, Conservative MP for South Swindon, moved a debate on international human rights violations faced by professionals and business people which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Alistair Burt.
- Parliament TV: Human rights violations
- Commons Hansard: Human rights violations
- Topics: Human rights
11.00-11.30am Petrol prices in Wyre Forest
Mark Garnier, Conservative MP for Wyre Forest, moved a debate on petrol prices in the Wyre Forest which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Hammond.
- Parliament TV: Petrol prices in Wyre Forest
- Commons Hansard: Petrol prices in Wyre Forest
- Topics: Roads
2.30-4.00pm Aerospace industry
Ian Lucas, Labour MP for Wrexham, moved a debate on the aerospace industry which received an answer from the Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Michael Fallon.
4.00-4.30pm Police officer reductions
Bill Esterson, Labour MP for Sefton Central, moved a debate on police officer reductions which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, James Brokenshire.
4.30-5.00pm Protecting the Antarctic
Neil Carmichael, Conservative MP for Stroud, moved a debate on protecting the Antarctic which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mark Simmonds.
- Parliament TV: Protecting the Antarctic
- Commons Hansard: Protecting the Antarctic
- Topics: Climate change
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.