Submission from Rt Hon Eric Forth MP
Thank you for your letter of 8 January about
the sitting times of the House.
In my view, the revised hours are unsatisfactory,
in that they cause a conflict and overlap of work in Committees
and the Chamber (not to mention Westminster Hall!).
I believe that we should revert to the old hours,
which were tried and tested and well understood.
The work of the House should not be arranged
for the convenience of Members—but for the most effective
discharge of our responsibilities—namely scrutiny of legislation
and holding the Government to account.
I see no reason why these matters need to be
ended arbitrarily at 6 or 7 pm—given that, for most Members,
"home" is in the constituency well over 2 hours travel
from Westminster.
January 2004
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