Westminster Hall debates: 15 January 2013

The debates were among five 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: 15 January 2013

9.30-11am – Manufacturing (West Midlands)

Gavin Williamson, Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, moved a debate on promoting manufacturing in the West Midlands. The Minister of State, Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, Michael Fallon, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Manufacturing (West Midlands) 
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Manufacturing (West Midlands)

11-11.30am – Party Political Broadcasts

George Eustice, Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth, moved a debate on Party Political Broadcasts. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Edward Vazey, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Party Political Broadcasts
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Party Political Broadcasts

2.30-4pm – Electoral Registration

Nick Smith, Labour MP for Blaenau Gwent, moved a debate on raising electoral registration levels. The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, Miss Chloe Smith, reponded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Electoral Registration
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Electoral Registration

4-4.30pm – Funding of post-16 high needs provision in Warrington

Helen Jones, Labour MP for Warrington North, moved a debate on funding of post-16 high needs provision in Warrington. The Minister for Schools, Mr David Laws, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Post-16 High Needs Provision (Warrington)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Post-16 High Needs Provision (Warrington)

4.30-5pm – Leisure Services (North East Lincolnshire)

Martin Vickers, Conservative MP for Cleethorpes, moved a debate on local authority leisure services in North East Lincolnshire. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Brandon Lewis, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Leisure Services (North East Lincolnshire)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Leisure Services (North East Lincolnshire)

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.