A take-note debate is a type of debate that allows members of a parliament to debate a matter of public policy, without making any decision. When the members of the house have concluded the debate, the house moves on to other business, without a vote being taken. It is found in some parliaments based on the Westminster parliamentary system.
The name comes from the first line of the motion initiating the debate: "That this House takes note of ...", followed by the issue to be discussed. The purpose of a take-note debate is to allow the members of parliament to express their opinions on the issue, and for the members of the cabinet to assess the views of the house. A government may institute a take-note debate to assist it in deciding on a course of action with respect to the issue under consideration, prior to introducing government policy measures or legislation.
Take-note debates are formally provided for in the rules of the British House of Lords and the Canadian House of Commons. The British House of Commons also has a procedural mechanism for take-note debates, although not under that name.