Emergency debates in the House of Commons since 1979

Under Standing Order No. 24 MPs can ask the Speaker for permission to seek leave of the House for an emergency debate. An emergency debate is a debate called at short notice on a subject of a “specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration”.

If the Speaker is satisfied that the subject fulfils the criteria set out in the Standing Order, the Member has three minutes following question time (and any urgent questions or ministerial statements) to make their case to the House. The Speaker then decides whether to put the application to the House and does not have to give reasons for their decision.

If the House agrees to the request for an emergency debate, the Speaker announces when the debate will be held and for how long. The debate may be held on the same day the application is made but is usually held on the following day.

The downloadable Excel file lists all emergency debates held in the House of Commons since 1979. From 1992 onwards, the outcome of each application, and details of the debates following successful applications are reported. Source details are available in the Excel file. 

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