Emergency debate on ban by China on Foreign Affairs Committee visit to Hong Kong

The debate was opened by the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Sir Richard Ottaway. Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Kerry McCarthy, responded on behalf of the Opposition. The Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Emergency Commons debate on the ban by China on the Foreign Affairs Committee visit to Hong Kong, Tuesday 2 December 2014
• Read Commons Hansard: Emergency Commons debate on the ban by China on the Foreign Affairs Committee visit to Hong Kong, Tuesday 2 December 2014

Further information

Application for debate

The House of Commons agreed to an application for an emergency debate made by the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Sir Richard Ottaway, on Monday 1 December 2014.

• Watch Parliament TV: Application for an emergency debate on Foreign Affairs Committee (Hong Kong Visit)
• Read Commons Hansard: Application for an emergency debate on Foreign Affairs Committee (Hong Kong Visit)
• Read Parliament News: Call for emergency debate - Committee to be refused entry to Hong Kong

The Speaker decided that this should take place on Tuesday 2 December 2014, after Questions and Statements, for up to three hours.

Emergency debates

An emergency debate is a debate called at short notice in the House of Commons on a matter that should have urgent consideration. An MP may apply to the Speaker for an emergency debate under the rules of Standing Order No. 24.

• About Parliament: Application for emergency debates
• Emergency Debates since 1979 - Commons Library Standard Note

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