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We published our report on Business in Westminster Hall on 13 October 2014. The report reviewed the use of Westminster Hall for debates and other business since its establishment in 1999 and considered a number of proposals for improvement.
We received the Government's response to the report on 18 December 2014. The response, which is published as an Appendix to this report, accepts the majority of our recommendations, but indicates that the Government would not support three of our proposals for change:
· the repeal of paragraph (9) of Standing Order No. 10, which enables the Government to refer an order of the day (normally, legislative business) for debate in Westminster Hall, and paragraph (12) of the standing order, which provides for a minimum of six Members to object to any business other than an adjournment debate being taken in Westminster Hall;
· bringing forward sittings on Thursdays from 1.30 pm to 12.30 pm; and
· exchanging Monday and Thursday business, so that Liaison Committee and backbench business debates took place on Monday afternoons, and e-petitions were debated on Thursdays.
We accept the Government's position on these proposals and propose a revised form of Standing Order No. 10 (Sittings in Westminster Hall) which would give effect to our remaining recommendations. We look forward to the House being given an early opportunity to consider the revised standing order so that, if it is agreed, the changes can be in place from the beginning of the new Parliament.
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