Westminster Hall debates: 12 March 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: 12 March 2013

9.30-11am – Olympic Legacy (Sheffield)

Paul Blomfield, Labour MP for Sheffield Central, moved a debate on Olympic legacy and Government spending on sports facilities in Sheffield. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Brandon Lewis, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Olympic Legacy (Sheffield)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Olympic Legacy (Sheffield)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Sports and Olympic Games

11-11.30am – Reburial of King Richard III

Hugh Bayley, Labour MP for York Central, moved a debate on the licensing of the reburial of King Richard III. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Jeremy Wright, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Reburial of King Richard III
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Reburial of King Richard III
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Cultural heritage

2.30-4pm – Forced Conversion of Schools to Academies

John Pugh, Liberal Democrat MP for Southport, moved a debate on the forced conversion of schools to academies. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Elizabeth Truss, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Forced Conversion of Schools to Academies
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Forced Conversion of Schools to Academies
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Schools

4-4.30pm – Robert Powell

Jonathan Evans, Conservative MP for Cardiff North, moved a debate on the case of Robert Powell and the role of the Attorney General. The Attorney-General, Mr Dominic Grieve, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Robert Powell
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Robert Powell
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Crime, civil law, justice and rights
  

4.30-5pm – Coventry City Football Club

Mr Bob Ainsworth, Labour MP for Coventry North East, moved a debate on Coventry City Football Club and the Ricoh Arena. The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Hugh Robertson, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Coventry City Football Club
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Coventry City Football Club
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Sports and Olympic Games

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.