Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons Written Evidence


Submission from Malcolm Bruce MP

  I was disappointed to see the proposed summer rising date of 28 July, which just confirms that the so-called family friendly hours of the House are anything but.

  I support the September sitting which I understand Ministers do not like. I appreciate there are reasons for not sitting in September next year but fear we will slide back to the old ways.

  There are two benefits of a September sitting. One is that we avoid a hiatus of three months when current events cannot be highlighted in the House. The other is that it allows the House to rise earlier in July and thus more time with their families.

  Next year Aberdeenshire schools in line with the rest of Scotland break up for the summer holidays on July 1 and return on August 16. This means there is only one summer fortnight we can book our holiday together.

  These things matter for a conscientious MP who is routinely away from home and family from Monday to Thursday and sometimes longer.

  Aberdeenshire usually takes the first two weeks of April regardless of when Easter falls. The February and May breaks do not coincide with any Scottish school holidays and the House returns in October just as the Scottish half term starts.

  I do not for a minute suggest that the House should conform to Scottish school holidays but it is a matter of despair that there is virtually no overlap.

  The new arrangements at least promised an earlier start to the summer recess—ie 14 July which makes a huge difference.

  Personally I would rather sit until ten on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and allow longer recesses. Finishing at seven does not help family bonding when the family is 500 miles away.

  That is unlikely to happen so I can only urge you to agree to return to the September sitting and earlier start to the summer recess. I believe many English colleagues would welcome this too.

October 2004





 
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