Arrangements for pre-recess debate on 5 April

The Backbench Business Committee has decided that the Easter adjournment debate on Tuesday 5 April will follow the format used before Christmas. Members are invited to apply to speak on a subject of their choice for no more than 10 minutes, specifying from which government department they would like a response. Speeches will be grouped into subject areas and, for the departments with the highest number of applications, the relevant Minister invited to respond to the issues raised. This will be followed by a general debate where Members may raise any issue, for which a response will be provided by the Deputy Leader of the House.

Members should apply to the Table Office to speak in the debate. The deadline for applications is 6pm on Monday 28 March.

The aim of this approach is to provide a better structure for the debate and an improved response from the Government to the concerns raised by Members. The Backbench Business Committee received positive feedback from Members on the last such debate and is keen to hear Members’ views. The Committee can be contacted at bbcom@parliament.uk

The Backbench Business Committee has 35 days per year available to debate matters of interest to backbenchers. This includes the last day before each recess, which has traditionally been used for a general debate on any subject of interest to Members. More information on the work of the Backbench Business Committee can be found on the Committee’s website at: http://www.parliament.uk/bbcom by emailing bbcom@parliament.uk or by speaking to a member of the Committee: Natascha Engel (Chair), Mr Peter Bone, Philip Davies, Jane Ellison, John Hemming, Mr Philip Hollobone, Ian Mearns and Mr George Mudie.