Supplementary submission from Rachel Squire
MP
Thank you for your letter of 29 June 2004 concerning
the intention of the Modernisation Committee to embark on a review
of sitting hours.
I would support an end to the current arrangements
and an extension of sitting hours to 10.00 pm on Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday.
I also think the Committee should examine again
the arrangements for the Summer Recess. You may recall that I
wrote to you on 2 April 2004 to express in some detail my objections
to the current arrangements. I remain unhappy at the present schedule
and I hope the Modernisation Committee might yet decide Recess
should be returned to cover all of August and September.
In terms of daily sitting times, I certainly
find it very difficult to fit in the large number of meetings
which are now held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays before 7.00 pm.
I think many of us now find we regularly have three or four events—Select
and Standing Committees as well as debates of key interest—taking
place at the same time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I would be
in favour of returning to the 10.00 pm finish of parliamentary
business on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
However, I would like to retain the 6.00 pm
conclusion on Thursday to ensure that I am able to catch one of
the last flights back to Scotland and have a full day in my constituency
on Friday.
July 2004
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