Committee announces Backbench debates for 15 March
8 March 2012
The Backbench Business Committee is responsible for scheduling debates on 35 days during the current session, at least 27 of which will be debates in the main Chamber of the House of Commons, with the remainder to be taken in Westminster Hall
The Committee has determined that the following business will take place in backbench time:
Thursday 15 March in the Chamber (full day)
Motion relating to the introduction of charging for Big Ben Clock Tower tours (Member in charge: Robert Halfon) (part day).
The Committee heard this was an issue of interest to Members across the House.
Followed by a motion relating to reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (Member in charge: Miss Anne McIntosh).
The Committee received this representation for a debate from the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee following the publication of its report on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) on 24 February. The Committee heard the European Parliament will shortly be finalising its position on the CFP and the Commission expects to produce the final version of the proposals before the summer recess. The Committee also heard that a debate would enable the House to express its views ahead of the final round of negotiations.