Westminster Hall debates: 25 February 2014

The debates were among five scheduled Westminster Hall debates that gave MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and to receive a response from a Government Minister.

Westminster Hall debates: 25 February 2014

9.30am - 11am: Educational Attainment (Disadvantaged Pupils)

Damian Hinds, Conservative MP for East Hampshire, moved a debate on regional variation in educational attainment for disadvantaged pupils. The Minister for Schools, Mr David Laws, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Educational Attainment (Disadvantaged Pupils)
• Read Commons Hansard: Educational Attainment (Disadvantaged Pupils)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Schools

11am - 11.30am: Post Office Closure (Sutton)

Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam, moved a debate on Post Office closure in Sutton. The Minister for Skills and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Post Office Closure (Sutton)
• Read Commons Hansard: Post Office Closure (Sutton)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Postal services

2.30pm - 4pm: Land Registry

Mrs Siân C. James, Labour MP for Swansea East, moved a debate on the Future of HM Land Registry. The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Michael Fallon, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Land Registry
• Read Commons Hansard: Land Registry
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Land law

4pm - 4.30pm: Local Television Stations

Mrs Madeline Moon, Labour MP for Bridgend, moved a debate on the introduction of local television stations. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Edward Vaizey, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Local Television Stations
• Read Commons Hansard: Local Television Stations
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Broadcasting

4.30pm - 5pm: Council Tax Banding

Mr Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood, moved a debate on the policy on council tax banding. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Brandon Lewis, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Council Tax Banding
• Read Commons Hansard: Council Tax Banding
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Taxation

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.