Westminster Hall debates
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays there are two one and a half
hour debates and three half hour debates. The longer
debates are intended for broader subjects where a number of
MPs will want to speak. The shorter debates may focus on an
issue that an MP may want to raise about their
constituency.
Two ballots are held on the Wednesday of the previous week
for each type of debate; MPs may enter into both ballots
but can only be successful in one.
Each government department responds to the debates every
other week according to a rota.
The Chair is taken by a member of the Panel of Chairs, with
the same duties and powers conferred on Deputy Speakers.
Westminster Hall debates: 20 June 2012
Five debates were held in Westminster Hall. Watch and read
the views expressed by MPs during the debates via the links
to Parliament TV and Commons Hansard. Also, find more
information about current parliamentary material in the
Topics section on the Parliament website.
9.30-11.00am Agricultural employment
Gordon Henderson, Conservative MP
for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, moved a debate
on seasonal agricultural workers scheme which
received an answer from the Minister of State for
Agriculture and Food, James Paice.
11.00-11.30am Gangmaster Licensing Authority
Stephen Barclay, Conservative MP for North East
Cambridgeshire, moved a debate on future of the
Gangmasters Licensing Authority which received an
answer from the Minister of State for Agriculture and
Food, James Paice.
2.30-4.00pm Unemployment in the North East
Iain Wright, Labour MP for Hartlepool, moved a debate
on unemployment in the North East which received
an answer from the Assistant Whip in the Department
for Work and Pensions, Stephen Crabb.
4.00-4.30pm Health and Safety Executive
Meg Munn, Labour and Co-operative MP
for Sheffield, Heeley, moved a debate on the
remit of the Health and Safety Executive which
received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary
of State for Work and Pensions, Maria Miller.
4.30-5.00pm Hospitals in Sussex
Stephen Lloyd, Liberal Democrat MP
for Eastbourne, moved a debate on proposed
reconfiguration of hospitals in Sussex which received
an answer from the Minister of State for Health, Simon
Burns.
Westminster Hall debates
Westminster Hall adjournment debates allow MPs to discuss
issues of local or personal interest which rarely have time
to be debated in the main Chamber of the House of Commons.
MPs can discuss a variety of issues and receive a response
from a government Minister.
Image: iStockphoto
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