Westminster Hall debates: 8 April 2014

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: 8 April 2014

9.30am - 11am: Broadband (North of England)

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, moved a debate on broadband in the north of England. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Edward Vaizey, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Broadband (North of England)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Broadband (North of England)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Culture, media and sport

11am - 11.30am: Antisocial Behaviour (Stag and Hen Parties)

Mr Robert Syms, Conservative MP for Poole, moved a debate on anti-social behaviour and renting of houses for stag and hen parties. The Minister for Crime Prevention, Norman Baker, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Antisocial Behaviour (Stag and Hen Parties)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Antisocial Behaviour (Stag and Hen Parties)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Anti-social behaviour

2.30pm - 4pm: Military Credit Union

Mr Gareth Thomas, Labour (Co-op) MP for Harrow West, moved a debate on the military credit union. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Philip Dunne, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on the Military Credit Union
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on the Military Credit Union
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Defence

4pm - 4.30pm: Fairness in Pension Provision

Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, moved a debate on fairness in pension provision for contributors. The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, Steve Webb, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Fairness in Pension Provision
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Fairness in Pension Provision
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Pensions

4.30pm - 5pm: Business Lending

Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, moved a debate on business lending. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Nicky Morgan, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Business Lending
• Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Business Lending
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Business, industry and consumers

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.