Part of Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 January 1964.
Sir Peter Kirk
, Gravesend
12:00,
15 January 1964
No, Sir; there are strong reasons why the report as such should not be published. We have made out a very strong case, not only in my right hon. Friend's original statement but in the Adjournment Debate which the hon. Gentleman was, unfortunately, prevented from attending.
An adjournment debate is a short half hour debate that is introduced by a backbencher at the end of each day's business in the House of Commons.
Adjournment debates are also held in the side chamber of Westminster Hall.
This technical procedure of debating a motion that the House should adjourn gives backbench members the opportunity to discuss issues of concern to them, and to have a minister respond to the points they raise.
The speaker holds a weekly ballot in order to decide which backbench members will get to choose the subject for each daily debate.
Backbenchers normally use this as an opportunity to debate issues related to their constituency.
An all-day adjournment debate is normally held on the final day before each parliamentary recess begins. On these occasions MPs do not have to give advance notice of the subjects which they intend to raise.
The leader of the House replies at the end of the debate to all of the issues raised.
