1 Introduction
1. Westminster Hall sittings began in November 1999
following a report earlier that year by the Modernisation Committee.[1]
Since then those sittings have evolved principally into a forum
for backbench business. Westminster Hall is widely held to be
a success and provides "expanded opportunities for backbench
MPs and for oversight of the executive".[2]
We have been told that Members value the "spontaneity and
fun" of attending debates in Westminster Hall by comparison
with debates in the main Chamber. [3]
2. Tuesday and Wednesday sittings in Westminster
Hall comprise a sequence of 30 and 90-minute debates on subjects
raised by individual backbenchers, determined by a ballot conducted
by the Speaker's office. The sittings last from 9.30 am to 5 pm
with 'injury time' for divisions in the House and a suspension
covering the period of Question time in the main Chamber. Thursday
sittings take the form of one or more debates from 1.30 pm to
4.30 pm on topics chosen by the Liaison Committee or determined
by the Backbench Business Committee. Since July 2012 occasional
Monday sittings, starting at 4.30 pm and ending at 7.30 pm, have
been held for consideration of e-petitions as determined by the
Backbench Business Committee.
3. In 2012 we recommended that one of the 90-minute
debates each week should be chosen by the Backbench Business Committee,
instead of by ballot, on a trial basis. That experiment is now
due for evaluation. Following the conclusion of our most recent
inquiry into sitting hours, we consider this to be an opportune
time to take a wide-ranging look at the way time is used in Westminster
Hall.
4. This report offers some modest and, we trust,
uncontroversial recommendations on how to improve the conduct
of business in Westminster Hall;[4]
we are not calling for root-and-branch reform. That would not
only be unnecessary but also most likely unwelcome to those Members
who value the debating opportunities provided in Westminster Hall.
Rather than a complete upheaval, we offer the House a package
of reasonable and practical reforms which will enhance Members'
experience of debating in the second chamber.
1 Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of
Commons, Second Report of Session 1998-99, Sittings of the House in Westminster Hall,
HC 194 Back
2
Mr Graham Allen MP BWH 09 para 1 Back
3
Q10 Back
4
Q26 Back
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