Backbench debates announced for 10 April

Thursday 10 April in the Chamber

• Launch of the Thirteenth Report from the Public Administration Select Committee, Caught red-handed: Why we can’t count on Police Recorded Crime statistics, HC 760 (Member in charge: Mr Bernard Jenkin, Chair of PASC) (up to 20 minutes)
• Pre-recess Adjournment debate

Thursday 10 April in Westminster Hall

• General debate on Police response to domestic violence (Member in charge: Mary Macleod) (3 hours)

Bids for debate received – 1 April meeting

At its public meeting on Tuesday 1 April, the Committee heard representations from the following:

• Hazel Blears and Graham Stuart for a debate on Social mobility and child poverty strategy

E-petitions

The Committee received a letter from the Leader of the House informing it that the “Sophie’s Choice, smear test lowered to 16” e-petition has passed the 100,000 signatures threshold. 

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.

Further Information

• About Parliament: Select Committees
• How the Backbench Business Committee works