MPs debated support for opencast coal sites
29 January 2015
On Thursday 29 January, MPs took part in a debate on financial support for restoration of opencast coal sites. This debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee. The Member in charge for this debate was Madeleine Moon, Labour MP for Bridgend.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate took place in the House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 29 January and was opened by Madeleine Moon. Shadow Business, Innovation and Skills Minister, Iain Wright, responded to the debate for the Opposition. Minister for Business and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock responded for the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: MPs debate support for opencast coal sites, 29 January 2015
- Read Commons Hansard: MPs debate support for opencast coal sites
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.