Shadow Minister for Public Health, Diane Abbott, asked an Urgent Question on the Government's response to the consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products, on Friday 12 July in the House of Commons.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department of Health, Anna Soubry, responded to the question on behalf of the Government.
Transcripts of proceedings in the House of Commons Chamber are available three hours after they happen in Today’s Commons Debates.
Urgent questions
At times MPs may want to put an urgent question to a Minister. If a matter of public importance has arisen, which an MP believes requires an immediate answer from a government minister, they may apply to the Speaker to put forward such a question.
The relevant government department would be informed at once.
If the Speaker agrees, the question will be asked after that day’s Question Time.
Once the MP has asked the main question, they are allowed to ask a supplementary question. Other MPs will then be called to ask further questions on the same subject.
Watching proceedings from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.
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