MPs debated the future of local newspapers
18 March 2015
On Thursday 19 March, MPs took part in a general debate on the future of local newspapers. This debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee following a bid from John McDonnell and Sir Bob Russell.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate was opened by John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington in Westminster Hall.
- Watch Parliament TV: MPs debate future of local newspapers, Thursday 19 March 2015
- Read Commons Hansard: MPs debate the future of local newspapers, Thursday 19 March 2015
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays 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.