Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons Written Evidence


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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