Debate on oversight of the intelligence and security services
31 October 2013
On Thursday 31 October, MPs took part in a general debate in Westminster Hall on oversight of the intelligence and security services. This debate was chosen by the Backbench Business Committee following a representation from Dr Julian Huppert. Mr Dominic Raab and Mr Tom Watson also supported this application.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate began at 1.30pm and was opened by Dr Julian Huppert.
Watch the debate on Parliament TV and read the views expressed by MPs in Commons Hansard.
- Watch Parliament TV: General debate on oversight of the intelligence and security services
- Read Commons Hansard: General debate on oversight of the intelligence and security services
How the subject was selected
The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee following representations by Dr Julian Huppert, at the Committee’s public meeting on 22 October 2013.
- Parliament TV: Backbench Business Committee on 22 October 2013
- Uncorrected 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.