MPs debate epilepsy
23 February 2015
On Thursday 26 February, MPs took part in a general debate on epilepsy. This debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee following a bid from Laura Sandys and Mrs Cheryl Gillan.
This debate was the second item of backbench business on Thursday following the debate on Equitable Life. The debate was opened by Laura Sandys, Conservative MP for South Thanet.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
- Watch Parliament TV: MPs debate epilepsy 26 February
- Read Commons Hansard:MPs debate epilepsy 26 February
How the subject was selected
The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee following representation from Laura Sandys and Mrs Cheryl at the public meeting on Tuesday 6 February2015.
- Parliament TV: Backbench Business Committee on 6 January 2015
- Transcript of oral evidence heard on 6 January 2015
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays at 1pm 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.