Westminster Hall debates: 29 April 2014
29 April 2014
MPs debated fairer schools funding and the f40 campaign, and the provision of humanitarian support and aid to Syrian refugees on Tuesday 29 April 2014.
The debates were among five scheduled 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: 29 April 2014
9.30am - 11am – Schools Funding
Mr Robin Walker, Conservative MP for Worcester, moved a debate on Fairer Schools Funding and the f40 campaign. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Elizabeth Truss, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Schools Funding
- Read Commons Hansard: Schools Funding
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Schools
11am - 11.30am – Planning (North East Lincolnshire)
Martin Vickers, Conservative MP for Cleethorpes, moved a debate on planning issues in north east Lincolnshire. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Nick Boles, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Planning (North East Lincolnshire)
- Read Commons Hansard: Planning (North East Lincolnshire)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Housing and planning
2.30pm - 4pm – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
Grahame M Morris, Labour MP for Easington, moved a debate on proposed Government reforms to taxi and private hire vehicle regulation. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Hammond, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
- Read Commons Hansard: Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Roads
4pm - 4.30pm – Music in Prisons
Kevin Brennan, Labour MP for Cardiff West, moved a debate on music in prisons. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Mr Shailesh Vara, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Music in Prisons
- Read Commons Hansard: Music in Prisons
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Prisons
4.30pm - 5pm – Syrian Refugees (Support and Aid)
Guy Opperman, Conservative MP for Hexham, moved a debate on the provision of humanitarian support and aid to Syrian refugees. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, Lynne Featherstone, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Syrian Refugees (Support and Aid)
- Read Commons Hansard: Syrian Refugees (Support and Aid)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: International development
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.