Westminster Hall debates: 15 October 2013

MPs debated health services in north west London and greener road transport fuels, in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 15 October 2013

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

Schedule of Westminster Hall debates: 15 October 2013

9.30am - 11am: Driver and Vehicle Agency (Northern Ireland)

Mr Gregory Campbell, Democratic Unionist MP for East Londonderry, moved a debate on Driver and Vehicle Agency employment and services in Northern Ireland. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Robert Goodwill, responded on behalf of the Government.

11am - 11.30am: Health Services (North-West London)

Ms Karen Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, moved a debate on health services in north west London. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Jane Ellison, responded on behalf of the Government.

2.30pm - 4pm: Greener Road Transport Fuels

John Pugh, Liberal Democrat MP for Southport, moved a debate on the Use of greener road transport fuels. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Robert Goodwill, responded on behalf of the Government.

4pm - 4.30pm: Sentencing Tariffs (Offences Against Animals)

Mr Adrian Sanders, Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, moved a debate on sentencing tariffs for offences against animals. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, responded on behalf of the Government.

4.30pm - 5pm: Protecting Older People from Fraud (Wales)

Paul Murphy, Labour MP for Torfaen, moved a debate on the Protection of older people in Wales from fraud and scams. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb, 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 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.

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

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