UK 21 June 2018 | 3-hour ME debate in Westminster Hall, secured by Carol Monaghan

I don't think it's that sort of event. It's a debate between MP's - it's up to them to gather their references and prepare any points they want to make in advance of the debate.

 

the briefing doc for MPs that ME Action coordinated has a short section on PACE and links out to the S4ME PACE briefing doc

 

as a backbencher there is limited time for debate which is controlled by the backbench committee which Carol M et al put their case to last week. following that committees decision the debate has been given time on 21 June in Westminster Hall. Westminster Hall debates were created a few years ago to give more time for backbenchers to raise debates as they dont depend on the limited time in the House of Commons chamber. The debate is likely to be televised the 30 minute one in February was and that was a Westminster Hall debate

I dont know about public access for westminster hall- i will try to find out - if in the main chamber there are public galleries

the briefing document for MPs lists a few asks - its not a change to legislation that would be a private members bill http://www.meaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ME_Briefing_21_June_2018.pdf

ETA yes there is public access to Westminster Hall debates https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/watch-committees-and-debates/debates/

 

yes there was a good turnout to the 30 minute debate - cross party is a big part of it as well and some of the supporters are senior MPs - Nicky Morgan former Conservative minister and current Select Committee Chair, Vince Cable is leader of Liberal Democrat Party.

Judging by having 6 MPs presenting the request to the backbench committee when all the other topics looked to have one or maybe two I am hoping that is a sign there will be a good turnout.

Even if MPs didnt sign the EDM now the debate is happening there is a fresh angle for people to ask them to attend. I asked mine to discuss with Nicky Morgan and hoping NM will influence her to be there

 

The cynical view would be that it's a way of backbench MP's giving their constituents the impression they are making a difference by holding and taking part in a debate on a subject their constituents have raised with them. Representatives from each party give prepared speeches and can be asked questions, then everyone goes home and nobody hears anything more about it.

The hopeful view might be that as a result of the debate the government decides to do something about it...

At least it raises the profile of ME in the consciousness of some MP's and the debate is put on record, so the government can't pretend not to be aware of the problem.

There is a small public gallery for House of Commons debates, and presumably for Westminster Hall debates, but the public don't get to say anything, they just sit and watch.

 

agreed and Im pretty cynical
however the government will, as in the 30 minute debate, have to be represented by Ministers answering the points raised in debate. So the Minister has to stand up and go on record, the civil servants have to put together briefing, a 3 hour debate is going to be more wide ranging and able to probe for more depth of response than 30 minutes it is going to take a lot more briefing and effort. I agree this is not going to achieve a sea change in the govt approach but it is a concerted campaign stepping up the pressure towards the govt departments.

and like the guy on the backbench committee said if CM and colleagues arent satisfied by the government response there's a further debate in the Commons chamber available

Also there's gaining credibility of the issue among MPs seeing that fellow MPs are supporting hopefully will gain interest and make them more open minded to approaches from constituents

I realise that Dr Gibson did a lot of work before in the commons with his review but a lot of the current MPs werent around then so this work has to be done again unfortunately