Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 2 December 1998.
Terms of Reference
REPORT INTRODUCTION THE PURPOSE OF REFORM
PART I THE PRESENT CALENDAR
THE PRESENT CALENDAR
PERCEIVED DEFECTS
Variation in provision of business
Inflexibility in timing of business
Uncertainty
Length and timing of summer adjournment
Working hours
CONSTRAINTS ON REFORM
National holidays and school holidays
Party conferences
The Parliamentary works programme
Tours of the Palace
Pressure on Ministers &c.
Members' correspondence &c.
Parliamentary delegations
PROPOSALS FOR IMMEDIATE CHANGE
ADVANCING THURSDAY SITTINGS
The Government's proposal
(a) Select committees
(b) Standing committees
(c) Questions, Private Notice Questions and Statements
(d) Divisions
(e) Close of sitting
(f) Public access
(g) Staff of the House
(h) The Speaker
An alternative to the Government's proposal
Summary
The case against advancing Thursday sittings
"BLOCK WEEKS"
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THURSDAY SITTINGS AND "BLOCK WEEKS"
NON-SITTING OR CONSTITUENCY WEEKS
DESIGNATED COMMITTEE WEEKS
PART II THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A "MAIN COMMITTEE"
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A "MAIN COMMITTEE"
The current time constraints
The Australian model
Consensus
Chairmanship
General procedures
Name of a new body
Place and times of meeting
Media coverage
Referral of business
Type of business to be considered
Potential impact on the House's business and on the Parliamentary calendar
Allocation of time among Government, Opposition and Private Members
Questions and Statements
Fridays
Fixed calendar
A more even pattern of sitting
Disadvantages of a "Main Committee"
The next stage
ANNEX: Possible business for a "Main Committee"
APPENDIX 1: Memorandum by the Rt Hon Ann Taylor MP, then President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, on the Parliamentary Calendar
APPENDIX 2: Letter from the Speaker to the Rt Hon Ann Taylor MP
APPENDIX 3: Letter from the Chairman of Ways and Means to the then Chairman of the Committee
APPENDIX 4: Memorandum by the Liaison Committee
APPENDIX 5: Letter from the Chairman of the Administration Committee to the then Chairman of the Committee
APPENDIX 6: Letter from the Chairman of the Catering Committee to the then Chairman of the Committee
APPENDIX 7: Memorandum from the House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia, on the Main Committee
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE RELATING TO THE REPORT