Westminster Hall debates: 9 July 2013

MPs debated the regulation of herbal medicine and zero hour contracts in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 9 July 2013.

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

Schedule of Westminster Hall debates: 9 July 2013

9.30am - 11am: Herbal Medicine (Regulation)

David Tredinnick, Conservative MP for Bosworth, moved a debate on Herbal Medicine (Regulation). The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Dr Daniel Poulter, responded on behalf of the Government.

11am - 11.30am: Gift Cards

Penny Mordaunt, Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, moved a debate on Gift Cards. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Jo Swinson, responded on behalf of the Government.

2.30pm - 4pm: Zero-hours contracts

Julie Elliott, Labour MP for Sunderland Central, moved a debate on zero-hours contracts. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Jo Swinson, responded on behalf of the Government.

4pm - 4.30pm: HMS Concord (Yangtze River Incident)

Graeme Morrice, Labour MP for Livingston, moved a debate on HMS Concord (Yangtze Incident). The Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, Mr Mark Francois, responded on behalf of the Government.

4.30pm - 5pm: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Iain Stewart, Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South, moved a debate on complex regional pain syndrome. The Minister of State for the Department for Health, Norman Lamb, responded on behalf of the Government.

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.

Watching proceedings from the public gallery

UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.

How to attend a debate in the Chamber or in Westminster Hall

This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.