Submission from Ian Stewart MP
Thank you for your letter of 8 January 2004.
I voted for the reforms to our sitting hours
which were introduced in Autumn 2002. I am also a firm supporter
of `Westminster Hall' debates which allow backbench MPs to raise
issues of local or national importance in some detail and depth.
However, we have now had a year to evaluate
the operation of the new system, and while I do not favour a return
to the old hours as advocated by some MPs, I do believe, along
with many of my colleagues, that some changes should be made.
I accept that MPs serving on Bill Committees and Select Committees
have very tight timetables during the day, which can make individual
appointments and attendance at all-party groups very difficult
to accommodate. I know too that MPs greatly value their `constituency
Fridays'.
The reform of hours I would suggest is as follows
| Monday | 2.30 pm-10.00 pm (as now)
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| Tuesday | 11.30 am-10.00 pm
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| Wednesday | 11.30 am-6.00 pm
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| Thursday | 11.30 am-6.00 pm (as now)
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I appreciate that this is an extension of sitting hours of
two hours a week. It may be therefore that some of this time could
be used for Private Members' Bills.
I know that the House voted for the reforms for the duration
of the current Parliament, but I believe the new system has been
operating for a sufficient time to allow for a full evaluation
of its strengths and weaknesses. I believe we should not delay
in addressing these weaknesses.
I am of course responding directly to the Procedure Committee's
questionnaire.
January 2004
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