Westminster Hall debates: 21 October 2014

MPs debated relationships and children’s wellbeing and domestic energy efficiency on Tuesday 21 October 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.

Morning schedule

9.30am - 11am – Relationships and children’s wellbeing

Fiona Bruce, Conservative MP for Congleton, moved a debate on relationships and children’s wellbeing. The Minister of State for Work and Pensions, Mr Mark Harper, responded on behalf of the Government.

11am - 11.30am – Infrastructure investment in Stroud Valleys and Vale

Neil Carmichael, Conservative MP for Stroud, moved a debate on infrastructure investment in Stroud Valleys and Vale. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrea Leadsom, responded on behalf of the Government.

Afternoon schedule

2.30pm - 4pm – Help and Support for Separated Families initiative

Sheila Gilmore, Labour MP for Edinburgh East, moved a debate on help and support for separated families initiative. The Minister for Employment, Esther McVey, responded on behalf of the Government.

4pm - 4.30pm – Domestic energy efficiency

Graham Jones, Labour MP for Hyndburn, moved a debate on domestic energy efficiency. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd, responded on behalf of the Government.

4.30pm - 5pm – Performance and accountability of BT Openreach under the BDUK programme

Simon Hart, Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, moved a debate on performance and accountability of BT Openreach under the BDUK programme. The Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, Mr Edward Vaizey, responded on behalf of the Government.

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.