Westminster Hall debates: 10 March 2015

MPs debated digital democracy and opening up Parliament, and public access defibrillator awareness within the National Curriculum, on Tuesday 10 March 2015.

The debates were among four scheduled Westminster Hall debates taking place on Tuesday that will give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.

Westminster Hall debates: Tuesday 10 March 2015

9.30-11am – Digital Democracy and opening up Parliament

Meg Hillier, Labour (Co-op) MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, moved a debate on Digital Democracy and opening up Parliament. The The Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, Tom Brake, responded on behalf of the Government.

This first debate was appointed on the recommendation of the Backbench Business Committee and will focus on the report by the Digital Democracy Commission, which was published in January 2015.

11-11.30am – Debate cancelled

The debate on government policy response to collapse of MG Rover, originally scheduled to be moved by Richard Burden, Labour MP for Birmingham, Northfield, was cancelled.

2.30-4pm – CPR and public access defibrillator awareness within the National Curriculum

Julie Hilling, Labour MP for Bolton West, moved a debate on CPR and public access defibrillator awareness within the National Curriculum. The Minister of State for Education, Mr Nick Gibb, responded on behalf of the Government.

4-4.30pm – Third crossing over Lake Lothing, Lowestoft

Peter Aldous, Conservative MP for Waveney, moved a debate on Third crossing over Lake Lothing, Lowestoft. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Robert Goodwill, responded on behalf of the Government.

4.30-5pm – Hague Abduction Convention

Mark Durkan, Social Democratic and Labour Party MP for Foyle, moved a debate on Hague Abduction Convention. The Minister of State for Justice, Simon Hughes, responded on behalf of the Government.

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.

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.