Westminster Hall debates: 6 May 2014
6 May 2014
MPs debated voting at 16 and the 450th anniversary of the birth of Shakespeare on Tuesday 6 May 2014 in Westminster Hall
The debates were amongst five scheduled debates that gave MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and to receive a response from a Government Minister.
Westminster Hall debates: 6 May 2014
9.30am - 11am: Votes at 16
Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, moved a debate on voting at 16. The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of the House of Commons, Tom Brake, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Votes at 16
- Read Commons Hansard: Votes at 16
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Electoral systems
11am - 12.30pm: Cyberstalking
Nadine Dorries, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, moved a debate on cyberstalking. The Minister for Crime Prevention, Norman Baker, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Cyberstalking
- Read Commons Hansard: Cyberstalking
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Crime, civil law, justice and rights
12.30pm - 1pm: Loan Protection Gap
Mr Andrew Love, Labour (Co-op) MP for Edmonton, moved a debate on loan protection gap. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrea Leadsom, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Loan Protection Gap
- Read Commons Hansard: Loan Protection Gap
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Loans
1pm - 1.30pm: Birth of Shakespeare (Commemoration)
Nadhim Zahawi, Conservative MP for Stratford-on-Avon, moved a debate on the Commemoration of 450th anniversary of the birth of Shakespeare. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Edward Vaizey, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Birth of Shakespeare (Commemoration)
- Read Commons Hansard: Birth of Shakespeare (Commemoration)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Culture, media and sport
1.30pm - 2pm: Universal Jobmatch Programme (Fraud)
Mr Frank Field, Labour MP for Birkenhead, moved a debate on tackling fraud in the Universal Jobmatch Programme. The Minister of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Universal Jobmatch Programme (Fraud)
- Read Commons Hansard: Universal Jobmatch Programme (Fraud)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Benefits administration
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.