To ask the Leader of the House which matters are required by convention or Government commitment to be debated each year; and what form of debate is required in each case. (98705)

The Standing Orders of the House require three days to be set aside for debates on estimates selected by the Liaison Committee and 20 days to be set aside for debates on matters selected by Opposition parties.

In addition to these commitments, there are a number of debates for which it is the practice to find time on the Floor of the House. These currently include two days ahead of European Council meetings, five days on different aspects of Defence, one day on Public Accounts Committee reports, one day on Welsh Affairs and one day on the annual report of the Intelligence and Security Committee.

The wider issue of the use of non-legislative Government time may be considered by the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons in due course.