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Adjournment Debates (0) • Backbench Business Debates (0) • Departmental Questions (0) • Lords Oral Questions (0) • Opposition Day Debates (0) • Westminster Hall Debates (0) • Ten Minute Bills (0) • Commons Select Committee Meetings (0) • Lords Select Committee Meetings (0) • Joint Committee Meetings (0) • Secondary Legislation (0) • General Committees (0) • Grand Committees (0) • Government Bills (0) • Private Members Bills (0)If you wish to view scheduled events by day, the official Parliamentary Calendar can be viewed here
An adjournment debate is a half hour debate, on a topic tabled by a backbench MP, that occurs at the conclusion of the Parliamentary Day on Monday through Thursday. No vote is taken at the conclusion of the debate.
Adjournment debates provide backbench MPs with an opportunity to raise an item of interest directly with a Government Minister, and receive a response from the Government on that issue.
The topic for Monday to Wednesday is chosen by ballot, the Thursday debate topic is selected by the Speaker.
The adjournment debate is proposed by a backbench MP, who opens the debate on the tabled issue. Other members may only speak with the permission of both the tabling MP, and the Minister responding. Opposition frontbenchers may not intervene or make speeches.
The debate is concluded by a speech from the Government Minister. No vote is taken at the conclusion of the debate.
The Backbench Business Committee is allocated 35 days each sitting for debates of the Committee's choice. Typically two debate topics are chosen for each day used.
Backbench MPs may propose debate topics and motions to the Backbench Business Committee, who hold weekly public sittings with applicants to assess the merit of their proposed debate. Backbenchers are encouraged to to have cross-party support for their application.
Debates may be on topics of general interest or following Select Committee activity.
The debate is opened by the backbench MP in whose name the motion was tabled, and concludes with speeches from Shadow and Government Ministers. Debates may conclude with a vote on the motion.
However, it must be understood that Parliament has no authority to compel the Government to act, legislate or direct the performance of statutory functions. The passage of a successful resolution may lead to an official response from the Government, but the Government are under no obligation to comply with resolutions of the House.
On Monday - Thursday, the first event of the day is for a Government Department attend the Dispatch Box and face oral and topical questions from Shadow Ministers and backbench MPs.
The Prime Minister holds Questions each Wednesday at 12:00, which is typically the most well attended event in the House.
A rota of Government departments is published around a month in advance, that ensures each Department will attend a question time at some point in the near future.
Members who wish to ask oral questions, are permitted to table one oral question for each occasion, which must be given at least 3 days in advance. Members who have a registered interest in the topic must indicate this in advance.
As the number of members who wish to ask questions greatly exceeds the time available, a random ballot is held to determine the order in which the questions appear on the Order Paper.
During the session, members do not recite the question, rather they refer to the question number on the Order Paper, i.e 'Question 5, Mr. Speaker.'
After the Minister has responded to the oral question, members are entitled to follow up supplementary question.
For Prime Minister's Question Time, a standard oral question 'if he will list his/her engagements for the day' is used, with all other questions being supplementary.
Shadow Cabinet and frontbench spokesmen are entitled to a set number of supplementary questions during Questions
The last 15 minutes of each Question session is usually set aside for Topical Questions. These follow the same format of PMQ's, with a standard opening question, all other questions being supplementary and not tabled in advance.
On Monday - Thursday, the House of Lords holds a 30 minute Oral Questions session, with up to four questions being tabled for Government repsonse.
The first three questions can be tabled up to a month in advance, and the fourth 'topical' question is selected by Ballot.
No Lord may have more than one question scheduled in the Lords at any one time, and may only ask four oral questions during the course of a Parliament.
As in the Commons, supplementary questions may be asked once the answer to the oral question has been given.
Ten Minute Bills are an opportunity for backbenchers to give a 10 minute speech as the First Reading for a proposed Bill.
They are scheduled for immediately after Question Time to give the largest possible attendence.
The first reading of a Bill marks the formal introduction of a bill before the house (though a detailed text is not required). Typically, this is a brief formality without any speeches being made.
However, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, backbench MPs are allocated 10 minutes to make a speech outlining the reasons for their proposed legislation. The relevant Minister is expected to be present.
This event typically occurs immediately after Questions, to ensure as great an audience as possible.
However, Ten Minute Bill's no not receive any legislative priority, and are unlikely to become enacted into law as primary legislation.
Westminster Hall is a forum for Parliamentary debates to occur outside the Main Chamber.
As with Adjournment Debates, issues are tabled by backbench MPs, and a Government Minister will respond without a vote being taken.
Monday - A 3 hour debate begins at 4.30pm, and relating to Petitions or e-Petitions.
Tuesday and Wednesday - Debates occur throughout the day, and are selected by Ballot
Thursday - A 3 hour debate determined by the Backbench Business Committee or Liason Committee
The Westminster Hall debates are Chaired by members of the Panel of Chairs (a group of experienced MPs), rather than the Speaker or a Deputy Speaker.
Opposition Days are 20 designated days each session, where Opposition parties (rather than the Government) can table a motion for debate.
Opposition Days typically consist of two debates selected by either the Official Opposition (17 days allocated) or minor parties (3 days allocated).
Opposition Day debates are usually led by a motion expressing criticism of the Government on a particular topic, to which the Government tables an amendment expressing support of the Government.
However, it must be understood that Parliament has no authority to compel the Government to act, legislate or direct the performance of statutory functions. The passage of a successful resolution may lead to an official response from the Government, but the Government are under no obligation to comply with resolutions of the House.
Since 2017, the Government has taken the position of abstention from voting on Opposition Day debates, so as to prevent MPs being recorded as officially objecting to politically popular motions.
Secondary (or Delegated) Legislation under the affirmative procedure requires Parliamentary approval before it can be made (enacted) into law.
This requirement for approval is frequently discharged by a Delegated Legislation Committee, who consider the legislation and vote to approve it.
Certain secondary legislation requires the assessment and approval of Parliament, which is performed by Delegated Legislation Committees.
For more details on this complex topic, read our glossary article: Secondary Legislation
Select Committees are groups of backbench MPs tasked with oversight of the Government Departments, or areas of constitutional concern.
Select Committees typically undertake a programme of inquiries through the duration of a Parliament. Committees hold regular public evidence sessions with Ministers and senior Civil Servants to scrutinise each Department, or members of the public relevant to a particular inquiry.
Inquiries typically conclude with the publication of a report, to which the Government may publish a response.
Select Committees are groups of Lordstasked with oversight of the Government Departments, or areas of constitutional concern.
Select Committees typically undertake a programme of inquiries through the duration of a Parliament. Committees hold regular public evidence sessions with Ministers and senior Civil Servants to scrutinise each Department, or members of the public relevant to a particular inquiry.
Inquiries typically conclude with the publication of a report, to which the Government may publish a response.
Joint Committees comprise members of both the House of Commons, and the House of Lords
Select Committees typically undertake a programme of inquiries through the duration of a Parliament. Committees hold regular public evidence sessions with Ministers and senior Civil Servants to scrutinise each Department, or members of the public relevant to a particular inquiry.
Inquiries typically conclude with the publication of a report, to which the Government may publish a response.
General Committees typically meet to consider legislation currently at the Committee Stages.
Grand Committees in the House of Lords consider legislation outside the main chamber, for which there will be no contested divisions.
Grand Committees in the House of Commons debate issues or legislation relating to a devolved administrative region of the United Kingdom (Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland).
Government Bills currently scheduled for debate before Parliament.
For more information on Bill Process and Government Bills, read our glossary articles: Process of a Bill and Government Bills
Dates have been set for the following Private Members Bill debates
Private Members Bills are proposed items of legislation tabled by backbench MPs. Only around 7 will become law each Session, and most will not progress beyond the initial stages.
For more information, read our glossary articles: Process of a Bill and Private Members Bills