Westminster Hall debates: 27 October 2015
27 October 2015 (updated on 27 October 2015)
MPs debated Government support for Pakistan and the BBC's relationship with the Met Office on Tuesday 27 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: 27 0ctober 2015
9.30-11am – Tropical Diseases
Jeremy Lefroy,Conservative MP for Stafford, moved a debate on the work of the UK in tackling malaria and neglected tropical diseases. The Minister of State, Department for International Development, Grant Shapps, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Tropical Diseases
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Tropical Diseases
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Diseases
11-11.30am – Pakistan
Rehman Chishti, Conservative MP for Gillingham and Rainham, moved a debate on Government support for Pakistan. 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 Pakistan
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Pakistan
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Foriegn and Commonwealth Office
2.30-4pm – Met Office
Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP for Exeter, moved a debate on the BBC's relationship with the Met Office. The Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, Mr Edward Vaizey, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on Met Office
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on Met Office
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Broadcasting
4-4.30pm – British Property Owners (Cyprus)
Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, moved a debate on British property owners in Cyprus. The Minister for Europe, Mr David Lidington, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on British property owners (Cyprus)
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on British property owners (Cyprus)
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: European Union
4.30-5pm – Young jobseekers
Chloe Smith, Conservative MP for Norwich North, moved a debate on young jobseekers and the Department for Work and Pensions. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on young jobseekers
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on young jobseekers
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Employment and training
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.