• Debate Pack

    Debate pack: BT broadband provision for local businesses

    This page has been prepared ahead of the debate in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 10 March at 1.30pm on BT broadband provision for local businesses. The Member in charge is Helen Goodman. It includes a brief summary and some useful links for further reading. The House of Commons Library prepares a briefing in hard copy and/or online for most non-legislative debates in the Chamber and Westminster Hall other than half-hour debates. Debate Packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for Members on request to the Library.

  • Debate Pack

    Debate Pack: Conservation of sea bass

    This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate on Conservation of sea bass and the effect of related EU measures on the UK recreational fishing industry to take place in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 11 February 2016. The subject for the debate has been chosen by the Backbench Business Committee and will be on the motion 'That this House believes that the recent EU restrictions on recreational sea bass fishing are unfair and fail to address the real threat to the future viability of UK sea bass stocks; and calls on the Government to make representations within the Council of the EU on the reconsideration of the imposition of those restrictions.'

  • Debate Pack

    Debate pack: Childhood obesity strategy

    This debate pack is prepared for the Backbench Business debate on 21 January 2015 on the motion “That this House calls on the Government to bring forward a bold and effective strategy to tackle childhood obesity.” The motion has been tabled by Dr Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Commons Health Select Committee. The Health Select Committee has held a recent Inquiry into childhood obesity and published its report, Childhood obesity- brave and bold action in November 2015. The Government have said that they will be publishing a new childhood obesity strategy in 2016. This debate pack includes recent press articles, Parliamentary material and links to further reading on childhood obesity.

  • Debate Pack

    Debate Pack: UK space policy

    This pack has been produced ahead of the debate on space policy to be held on the Commons Chamber on Thursday 14 January 2016. The topic for this debate was chosen by the Backbench Business Committee. The motion is : That this House notes the scientific, cultural and technological opportunities arising from exploration of outer space and the significant contribution the space industry makes to the UK economy; further notes the increased public interest in space exploration resulting from Major Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS); welcomes the global co-operation that has led to the development of the ISS over the last forty years; takes note of the shortlist of airports and aerodromes that could host a UK spaceport published by the UK Government in March 2015; and calls on the Government to bring forward further advice and support for organisations considering developing such facilities so that they might be operational by the Government’s target date of 2018.

  • Debate Pack

    Food security

    This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate on Food Security to be held in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 6 January 2016 at 2.30pm. The Member in charge is Derek Thomas.

  • Debate Pack

    Exotic pets trade

    This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate on the exotic pets trade, to be held in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 9 December 2015 at 9.30am. The Member in charge of this debate is Mr Henry Bellingham.

  • Debate Pack

    Debate on an e-petition on neonicotinoids

    This pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on the use of neonicotinoids on crops: in Westminster Hall on Monday 7 November 2015 at 4.30pm. The subject of this debate has been chosen by the Petitions Committee and will consider e-Petition 104796: Don't kill our bees! Immediately halt the use of Neonicotinoids on crops