Parliament Explained debates House of Commons October 2015

1. Debates
Colin Lee
Principal Clerk, Select Committees

2. • Who I am: roles and experience
• What I will cover
• Functions of the House of Commons
– Chooses and sustains executive
– Forms part of the legislature
– Holds Ministers to account
• Other ways last function done
Introduction

3. • Debates is a formal discussion of a specific
proposal (motion) in the House of Commons
• Debates serve all functions mentioned
• Programmed by the ‘usual channels’ the
whips, part of the Government
• Opposition and Backbench Business
Committee also have days for debate
Purpose and use of debates

4. Main types of debates
Main types of debates in the chamber
– Legislative
– Motions (Opposition, backbench)
– Adjournment and General Debates
Debate also main form of Committee
scrutiny of legislation

5. Unusual types of debates
Special types of debates
– Emergency debates (Standing Order No.
24)
– Queen’s Speech debates
– Budget debates
– Estimate day debates
– ‘Confidence’ Motions

6. Role of the Speaker in debates
• The Speaker selects and group amendments
to motions and bills
• Call Members to speak
• Impose time limits on debate
• Puts question at end of debate
• The Speaker ensures “orderly” debate

7. Rules and conventions of debates
• Members stand to speak
• Can choose to give way to others in debate
• Address the Chair and refer to other Members
by constituency
• “Good temper and moderation” …
• Do not generally refer to matters before
courts (sub judice rule)

8. Ending of debates
• Time limits for some debates but not others
• Standing Orders, Programme motions or
stand-alone motions can determine length
• “Moment of interruption”
• Question put from Chair; if opposed, usually
division (unless deferred)
• How divisions conducted

9. Westminster Hall debates
• Used solely for holding to account
• Time allocated by ballot, Backbench Business
Committee, Liaison Committee (Thursdays),
Petitions Committee (Mondays)
• Variable length of debates
• Neutral motion and no divisions
• Civil servants and the where to sit