Westminster Hall debates: 2 December 2014
2 December 2014
MPs debated benefit sanctioning and the Wessex route study and passenger capacity on Tuesday 2 December 2014 in the House of Commons.
The debates were two of five scheduled Westminster Hall debates that gave MPs an oppportunity to raise local and national issues and to receive a response from a Government Minister.
Westminster Hall debates: 2 December 2014
9.30am - 11am: Benefit sanctioning
Paul Blomfield, Labour MP for Sheffield Central, moved a debate on Benefit Sanctioning. The Minister for Employment, Esther McVey, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Benefit Sanctioning
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Benefit Sanctioning
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Benefits administration
11am - 11.30am: Government policy on the assistive technology sector
Mr William Bain, Labour MP for Glasgow North East, moved a debate on Government Policy on the Assistive Technology Sector. The Minister for Skills and Equalities, Nick Boles, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Government Policy on the Assistive Technology Sector
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Government Policy on the Assistive Technology Sector
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Disability discrimination
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Information technology
2.30pm - 4pm: Wessex route study and passenger capacity
Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke, moved a debate on the Wessex Route Study and Passenger Capacity. The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Mr John Hayes, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on the Wessex Route Study and Passenger Capacity
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on the Wessex Route Study and Passenger Capacity
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Railways
4pm - 4.30pm: Government support for textile manufacturing
Mr David Ward, Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East, moved a debate on Government Support for Textile Manufacturing. The Minister for Business and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Government Support for Textile Manufacturing
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Government Support for Textile Manufacturing
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Manufacturing industries
4.30pm - 5pm: Control of anti-freeze products and protection of animals
Mr Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood, moved a debate on Control of Anti-freeze Products and Protection of Animals. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Control of Anti-freeze Products and Protection of Animals
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Control of Anti-freeze Products and Protection of Animals
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Animal welfare
Related information
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.