The Petitions Committee has two options if it decides an e-petition or paper petition should be debated.
Firstly, it can recommend a debate in Westminster Hall, which is the second debating Chamber. These debates take place on Mondays at 4.30 pm, for up to three hours.
Secondly, it can ask the Backbench Business Committee to find time for a debate in the main Chamber on one of the days allocated to it by the Government. The Backbench Business Committee considers:
- topicality and timing
- whether holding a debate is important
- the number of MPs who are likely to take part
- whether a similar debate has already been held or is likely to be arranged soon
Both types of debates will be listed in the Order Paper.