Submission from Angela Smith MP
Thank you for your letter concerning sitting
arrangements. I would like to make two points.
Firstly, I believe the current hours make it
difficult for Ministers to visit other MPs' constituencies on
Tuesdays to Thursdays, due to their commitments in Parliament.
Secondly, as engaging the public in our political
process is a priority, I believe the 11.30 am starting times on
three days a week are too early as they curtail the opportunity
for constituents to tour Parliament. This is particularly so as,
for no apparent good reason, on a Thursday there are no early
morning tours unlike Tuesday and Wednesday.
July 2004
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