Westminster Hall debates: 17 January 2012
18 January 2012 (updated on 18 January 2012)
Westminster Hall debates provide MPs with an opportunity to debate local or national issues and to receive a response from a government Minister
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: 17 January 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 Care of the dying
David Burrowes, Conservative MP for Enfield, Southgate, moved a debate on care of the dying which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Anne Milton.
11.00am-12.30pm Carbon capture and storage, Scotland
Thomas Docherty, Labour MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, moved a debate on carbon capture and storage in Scotland which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Charles Hendry.
- Parliament TV: Carbon capture and storage, Scotland
- Commons Hansard: Carbon capture and storage, Scotland
- Topics: Energy
12.30-1.00pm Music venues, disabled access
Matthew Hancock, Conservative MP for West Suffolk, moved a debate on access to live music for deaf and disabled people which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Edward Vaizey.
- Parliament TV: Music venues, disabled access
- Commons Hansard: Music venues, disabled access
- Topics: Culture, media and sport
1.00-1.30pm Parking, Westminster
Karen Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, moved a debate on Westminster Council's parking controls which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning.
1.30-2.00pm Noise reduction, M54
Gavin Williamson, Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, moved a debate on noise reduction on the M54, which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning.
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.