Westminster Hall debates: 20 October 2015
19 October 2015 (updated on 19 October 2015)
MPs debated the availability of cancer drugs, and individual electoral registration on Tuesday 20 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.
The subject for the first debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee.
Westminster Hall debates: 20 October 2015
9.30-11am – The availability of cancer drugs
Jim Shannon, Democratic Unionist Party MP for Strangford, moved a debate on the availability of cancer drugs. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Life Sciences,George Freeman responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on cancer drugs
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on cancer drugs
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Medicine
The following four e-petitions submitted on petition.parliament.uk were identified as relevant to this debate:
- Abraxane must be put back on CDF list to improve survival of pancreatic cancer
- The Cancer Drug Fund (CDF) is not fit for purpose and needs to be replaced
- Reinstate all of the drugs recently removed from the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF)
- Reinstate bevacizumab (Avastin) for cervical cancer on the Cancer Drugs Fund
11-11.30am – The operation of the post-study work visa in Scotland
Gavin Newlands, Scottish National Party MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, moved a debate on the operation of the post-study work visa in Scotland. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Karen Bradley, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on post-study work visa (Scotland)
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on post-study work visa (Scotland)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Nationality
2.30-4pm – Air passenger duty and regional airports
Julian Knight, Conservative MP for Solihull, moved a debate on air passenger duty and regional airports. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on air passenger duty: regional airports
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on air passenger duty: regional airports
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Aviation
4-4.30pm – Travellers and planning in Mole Valley constituency
Sir Paul Beresford, Conservative MP for Mole Valley, moved a debate on travellers and planning in Mole Valley constituency. The Minister for Housing and Planning, Brandon Lewis, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on travellers (Mole Valley)
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on travellers (Mole Valley)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Housing and planning
4.30-5.30pm – Individual electoral registration
Nick Smith, Labour MP for Blaenau Gwent, moved a debate on individual electoral registration. The Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, John Penrose, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on individual electoral registration
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on individual electoral registration
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Electoral register
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
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.