MPs debate modern day slavery
5 December 2013
On Thursday 5 December, MPs debated modern day slavery. The debate was chosen by the Backbench Business Committee following a representation from Fiona Mactaggart. The application was supported by Frank Field.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate was opened by Fiona Mactaggart, and began after the conclusion of the 2013 Autumn Statement.
How the subject was selected
The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee following representations by Fiona Mactaggart at the Committee’s meeting on 22 October. The application was supported by Frank Field.
- Parliament TV: Backbench Business Committee on 22 October 2013
- Transcript of oral evidence heard on 22 October 2013
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays at 3pm to consider requests for debates from any backbench Members of Parliament on any subject, including those raised in e-petitions or national campaigns.
An MP must make a representation before the Committee for an e-petition or petition to be debated; e-petitions exceeding the Government's 100,000 signature threshold are not automatically allocated backbench time.
The Committee then has to decide how to allocate the limited Parliamentary time it has at its disposal. The Committee's meetings are always conducted in public and can be watched on Parliament TV.