Westminster Hall debates: 8 September 2015
7 September 2015 (updated on 7 September 2015)
MPs debated regeneration of towns and cities in England and business rates in rural areas on Tuesday 8 September 2015.
The debates were among four 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: 8 September 2015
9.30-11am – Hospital services in south Manchester
Mike Kane, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, moved a debate on hospital services in south Manchester. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Ben Gummer, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on hospital services in south Manchester
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on hospital services in south Manchester
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Health services and medicine
11-11.30am – Business rates in rural areas
Jake Berry, Conservative MP for Rossendale and Darwen, moved a debate on business rates in rural areas. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Marcus Jones, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on business rates in rural areas
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on business rates in rural areas
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Economic policy
2.30-4pm – Mediterranean migration - Debate cancelled
This debate was cancelled, at the request of Adam Holloway who applied for the debate, because of the emergency debate on the refugee crisis in Europe in the Chamber.
4-4.30pm – Process for FM radio applications
Amanda Milling, Conservative MP for Cannock Chase, moved a debate on process for FM radio applications. The Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, Mr Edward Vaizey, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on process for FM radio applications
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on process for FM radio applications
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Broadcasting
4.30-5pm – Regeneration of towns and cities in England
Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral South, moved a debate on regeneration on towns and cities in England. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Marcus Jones, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on regeneration of towns and cities in England
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on regeneration of towns and cities in England
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Regeneration
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.
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