Thursday 24 April 2008

Leader of the House of Commons

WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Topical Debates

In a Written Ministerial Statement to the House on 7 February 2008 (Official Report Col. 83WS), I announced that I will be conducting a review into the operation of topical debates.  The results of the review will be published before the House rises for the Summer Recess. Any Member wishing to submit their views is asked to do so by 23 May 2008. 

I proposed a new system to publish, on a quarterly basis, a list of all subjects that have been proposed for debate, other than those discussed at weekly Business Questions, which are already a matter of public record. The attached table gives the second such set of information relating to the period of January to March 2008.

Subjects proposed (other than in Business Questions) for Topical Debates (Jan 08 - Mar 08)

To Note: The list includes all requests and whether they have been submitted by letter, e-mail or another method.  The list does not include requests made during Business Questions, or otherwise on the floor of the House, and which are already a matter of public record.  Weeks where there were no such requests are not included.

Week commencing 7 January 2008:

Gas and Electricity Prices (e-mail),
Kenya (asked for in person),

Week commencing 21 January 2008:

Public Family Law (letter),

Week commencing 28 January 2008:

Northern Rock and Banking Reform (letter),
Treatment of Minorities in Iran (e-mail),
Women's Representation (by telephone),
Women in Prison (by telephone),
US Missile Defence (letter),

Week commencing 11 February 2008:

BERR Committee Report on Post Office Closures (letter and email),

Week commencing 18 February 2008:

DNA Information Society (Letter),

Week commencing 3 March 2008

100th Anniversary of the Territorial Army (letter),

Week commencing 17 March 2008:

National DNA Database (letter)