Westminster Hall debates: 19 November 2013
19 November 2013
MPs debated oversight of free schools and UK relations with China on Tuesday 19 November 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.
Westminster Hall debates: 19 November 2013
9.30-11.00 am – Free Schools
Ian Mearns, Labour MP for Gateshead, moved a debate on oversight of free schools. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Mr Edward Timpson, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Free Schools
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Free Schools
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Schools
11.00-11.30 am – UK Relations with Gibraltar and Spain
Jim Dobbin, Labour (Co-op) MP for Heywood and Middleton, moved a debate on UK Relations with Gibraltar and Spain. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mark Simmonds, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on UK Relations with Gibraltar and Spain
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on UK Relations with Gibraltar and Spain
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: International affairs
2.30-4.00 pm – UK Relations with China
Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, moved a debate on UK Relations with China. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mark Simmonds, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on UK Relations with China
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on UK Relations with China
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: International affairs
4.00-4.30 pm – Navitus Bay Wind Farm
Mr Robert Syms, Conservative MP for Poole, moved a debate on the proposed Navitus Bay wind farm. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Michael Fallon, responded on behalf of the Government
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Navitus Bay Wind Farm
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Navitus Bay Wind Farm
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Renewable energy
4.30-5.00 pm – Identity Documents (Home Office)
Stephen Doughty, Labour (Co-op) MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, moved a debate on the loss of identity documents by the Home Office. The Minister for Immigration, Mr Mark Harper, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Identity Documents (Home Office)
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Identity Documents (Home Office)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Immigration
Related information
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 Westminster Hall debates from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public galleries.
This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.