Westminster Hall debates: 12 February 2013

The debates were two of five scheduled Westminster Hall debates that gave MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.

Schedule of Westminster Hall debates: 12 February 2013

9.30-11am - Manufacturing (East Midlands)

Mr Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood, moved a debate on manufacturing in the East Midlands. Michael Fallon, Minister of State (Business and Enterprise), responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Manufacturing (East Midlands)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Manufacturing (East Midlands)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Manufacturing industries

11-11.30am - Alexandra Hospital, Redditch

Karen Lumley, Conservative MP for Redditch, moved a debate on the future of Alexandra Hospital, Redditch. Dr Daniel Poulter, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Alexandra Hospital, Redditch
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Alexandra Hospital, Redditch
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Health services and medicine

2.30-4pm - Food banks (Wales)

Kevin Brennan, Labour MP for Cardiff West, moved a debate on food banks in Wales. Stephen Crabb, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Food banks (Wales)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Food banks (Wales)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Food

4-4.30pm - UK Fashion Industry

Meg Hillier, Labour/Co-operative MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, moved a debate on the UK fashion industry. Jo Swinson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on UK Fashion Industry
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on UK Fashion Industry
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Industry

4.30-5pm - Cancer care (England and Wales)

Alun Cairns, Conservative MP for Vale of Glamorgan, moved a debate on cancer care in England and Wales. Anna Soubry, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Cancer care (England and Wales)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Cancer care (England and Wales)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Health Services

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 debtates 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.