Submission from Mr Andrew Turner MP
Thank you for your letter of 29 June 2004.
The House has insufficient time properly to
scrutinize legislation and too much business in the Chamber clash
with other parliamentary business elsewhere—for example,
Westminster Hall, Standing Committees and Select Committees. In
addition, from time to time Chamber time is wasted because business
collapses. Furthermore the so-called "family friendly"
hours are only friendly to that minority of Members who have families
within easy reach of the House, and those who wish to take part
in social engagements after a 7.00 pm vote (which of course often
runs on to 7.20 pm or later).
Clashes would be reduced were Tuesday and Wednesday
business to revert to the pattern we use on Mondays. Such a move
would also enable more people, especially from more distant parts
of the country, to visit the House before each day's sitting—particularly
useful now that fewer can see the House in session. Members who
live with young families near Westminster could be at home until
9.00 pm or later; those who wish to do so could attend social
events before a 10.00 pm vote. Monday hours are much better for
those wishing to hold lunchtime meetings secure in the knowledge
that they will not be overtaken by statements after their guests
have begun their journey to London. I strongly, therefore, advocate
that Monday hours be adopted for Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
There are occasions when business collapses,
or when (with existing Tuesday and Wednesday hours), the Chamber
is unused after 7.00 pm. Both offer opportunities for additional
adjournment debates—in the former case in the pattern of
the recess adjournments, answered by the Leader of the House,
or in the latter for half-hour debates on named subjects. Members
could be asked to subscribe their names for such "stand-by"
debates, but would not be penalized if they removed their names
for a particular day. I advocate, therefore, the use of "collapsed
business" time for debates in the style of the recess adjournment.
I trust your Committee finds these observations
useful.
September 2004
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