Westminster Hall debates: 13 October 2015
13 October 2015
MPs debated media plurality in Wales, and funeral poverty on Tuesday 13 October 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: 13 October 2015
9.30-11am – Use of children as suicide bombers
Roger Mullin, Scottish National Party MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, moved a debate on use of children as suicide bombers. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Tobias Ellwood, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on child suicide bombers
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on child suicide bombers
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Terrorism
11-11.30am – Trends in prosecutions for prostitution
Gavin Shuker, Labour MP for Luton South, moved a debate on trends in prosecutions for prostitution. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Karen Bradley, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on prostitution (prosecution trends)
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on prostitution (prosecution trends)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Sexual offences
2.30-4pm – Media plurality in Wales
Guto Bebb, Conservative MP for Aberconwy, moved a debate on media plurality in Wales. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on media plurality (Wales)
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on media plurality (Wales)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Media
4-4.30pm – Proposed closure of Burton magistrates' court
Andrew Griffiths, Conservative MP for Burton, moved a debate on proposed closure of Burton magistrates' court. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and Equalities and Family Justice, Caroline Dinenage, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Burton magistrates court
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Burton magistrates court
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Courts
4.30-5.30pm – Funeral poverty
Paul Maynard, Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, moved a debate on funeral poverty. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on funeral poverty
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on funeral poverty
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Funerals
Related information
Westminster Hall debates
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays there are two one and a half hour debates, one hour debate and two 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 Tuesday of the previous week for the Tuesday and Wednesday debates; MPs may enter into both ballots but can only be successful in one.
On Thursday there are two one and a half hour debates, or one three hour debate. Thursday debates are determined by the Backbench Business Committee or the Liaison Committee.
Each government department responds to the debates every other week according to a rota.
The Petitions Committee can determine whether a sitting should take place on a Monday in Westminster Hall to consider one or more petitions or e-petitions.
The Chair is taken by a Deputy Speaker, or a member of the Panel of Chairs with the same duties and powers conferred on Deputy Speakers.
Find out more about Westminster Hall debates.
Watching Westminster Hall debates from the public gallery
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This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.