Return to HOUSE OF COMMONS

Westminster Hall Debates

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:

Debates are held in Westminster Hall. Watch and read the views expressed by MPs during the debates via the links to Parliament TV and Commons Hansard.

Click below
Virtual Tour of Westminster Hall

Permanent link to this article: https://operationfatherhood.org/house-of-commons/house-of-commons-westminster-hall-debates/