Debate on tobacco packaging
7 November 2013
On Thursday 7 November, MPs took part in a general debate on standardised packaging of tobacco products. The debate was chosen by the Backbench Business Committee following representations from Bob Blackman and Alex Cunningham.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
This debate was the first item of main business on Thursday and was opened by Bob Blackman.
- Watch Parliament TV: General debate on standardised packaging of tobacco products
- Read Hansard: General debate on standardised packaging of tobacco products
How the subject was selected
The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee following representations by Alex Cunningham and Bob Blackman for this debate at its public meeting on 10 September.
- Parliament TV: Backbench Business Committee on 10 September 2013
- Uncorrected transcript of oral evidence heard on 10 September 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.