Westminster Hall Debates: 21 January 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: 21 January 2013

9.30 - 11am – Debt Advice (FCA Levy)

Robin Walker, Conservative MP for Worcester, and Damian Hinds, Conservative MP for East Hampshire, moved a debate on funding for debt advice through the FCA levy. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Sajid Javid, responded on behalf of the Government. This first debate was appointed on the recommendation of the Backbench Business Committee.

• Watch Parliament TV: Debt Advice (FCA Levy)
• Read Commons Hansard: Debt Advice (FCA Levy)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Financial Services

11 - 11.30am – Croydon NHS (Financial Losses)

Sir Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, moved a debate on financial losses in Croydon NHS. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Jane Ellison, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Croydon NHS (Financial Losses)
• Read Commons Hansard: Croydon NHS (Financial Losses)
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Health finance

2.30 - 4pm – Ticket Abuse

Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Washington and Sunderland West, moved a debate on ticket abuse. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mrs Helen Grant, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Ticket Abuse
• Read Commons Hansard: Ticket Abuse
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Consumers

4 - 4.30pm – Earls Court Exhibition Centre

Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for Hammersmith, moved a debate on the contribution of Earls Court exhibition centre to London’s culture and heritage. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Edward Vaizey, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Earls Court Exhibition Centre
• Read Commons Hansard: Earls Court Exhibition Centre
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Cultural heritage

4.30 - 5pm – Carbon Capture and Use

Laura Sandys, Conservative MP for South Thanet, moved a debate on Carbon capture and use. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Gregory Barker, responded on behalf of the Government.

• Watch Parliament TV: Carbon Capture and Use
• Read Commons Hansard: Carbon Capture and Use
• Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Renewable energy

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.