Westminster Hall Debates: 8 October 2013

MPs debated UK-US bilateral relations and school governors and school improvement on Tuesday 8 October 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: 8 October 2013

9.30-11am - UK-US Bilateral Relations

Michael Fabricant, Conservative MP for Lichfield, moved a debate on UK-US Bilateral Relations. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Hugo Swire, responded on behalf of the Government.

11-11.30am – Bow Match Women's Strike

Lyn Brown, Labour MP for West Ham, moved a debate on the Government recognition of the Bow match women's strike of 1888. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Edward Vaizey, responded on behalf of the Government.

12.30-1pm - School Governors and School Improvement

Neil Carmichael, Conservative MP for Stroud, moved a debate on school governors and school improvement. The Minister for Schools, Mr David Laws, responded on behalf of the Government.

1-1.30pm – Women's Pensions

Iain McKenzie, Labour MP for Inverclyde, moved a debate on pensions of women born in the early 1950s. The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, Steve Webb, 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

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