Westminster Hall debates: 24 March 2015
24 March 2015
MPs debated Commonwealth Day and property taxes in London on Tuesday 24 March 2015.
The debates were among five Westminster Hall debates that gave MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister.
Westminster Hall debates: 24 March 2015
9.30-11am – Commonwealth Day
Alan Haselhurst, Conservative MP for Saffron Walden, moved a debate on Commonwealth Day. The Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Commonwealth Day
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Commonwealth Day
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Chairman of Ways and Means appointed the first debate on the recommendation of the Backbench Business Committee.
11-11.30am – Future of Kettering General Hospital
Philip Hollobone, Conservative MP for Kettering, moved a debate on the future of Kettering General Hospital The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, Daniel Poulter, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on the future of Kettering General Hospital
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on the future of Kettering General Hospital
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Health services
2.30-4pm – Reform of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979
Russell Brown, Labour MP for Dumfries and Galloway, moved a debate on reform of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, Jane Ellison, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on the Vaccine Damage Payments Act
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on the Vaccine Damage Payments Act
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Vaccination
4-4.30pm – Update on The Shrewsbury 24
David Anderson, Labour MP for Blaydon, moved a debate on update on The Shrewsbury 24. The Minister of State for Justice, Simon Hughes, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on update on The Shrewsbury 24
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on update on The Shrewsbury 24
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Administration of justice
4.30-5pm – Property taxes in London
Mark Field, Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster, moved a debate on property taxes in London. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Kris Hopkins, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on property taxes in London
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on property taxes in London
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Housing
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.