Westminster Hall debates: 11 November 2014
11 November 2014
MPs debated the Great Eastern Main Line and the effect of welfare reform in the Welsh Valleys on Tuesday 11 November 2014 in Westminster Hall.
The debates were among three scheduled Westminster Hall debates that gave MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and to receive a response from a Government Minister.
The Westminster Hall sitting began at 2.30pm following an agreement of the House motion on 3 November 2014.
Westminster Hall schedule: 11 November 2014
2.30pm - 4pm: UK Acorn Finance (Mortgages)
Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, moved a debate on Acorn Finance Mortgages. The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Priti Patel, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on UK Acorn Finance (Mortgages)
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on UK Acorn Finance (Mortgages)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Mortgages
4pm - 4.30pm: Great Eastern Main Line
Ben Gummer, Conservative MP for Ipswich, moved a debate on improvements to the Great Western Main Line. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Claire Perry, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Great Eastern Main Line
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Great Eastern Main Line
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Railways
4.30pm - 5pm: Welfare Reform (Welsh Valleys)
Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, moved a debate on the effect of welfare reform in the Welsh Valleys. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, responded on beahlf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Welfare Reform (Welsh Valleys)
- Read Commons Hansard: Welfare Reform (Welsh Valleys)
- Read current Patrliamentary material in Topics: Benefits policy
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.