Sessional Returns 2008-09 Contents


3  SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE

Information and statistics relating to the sittings of the House and the time spent on different types of Business on the floor of the House.

A  DAYS AND HOURS OF SITTING IN THE HOUSE

Summary

The Session began on 3 December 2008 and ended on 12 November 2009. The House sat Monday—Thursday and on those Fridays listed below between, or on, the following dates (inclusive): 3 December 2008—18 December 2008; 12 January 2009—12 February 2009; 23 February 2009—2 April 2009; 20 April 2009—21 May 2009; 1 June 2009—21 July 2009; 12 October 2009—12 November 2009.

The House sat on the following Fridays: 27 February 2009; 6, 13, 20 & 27 March 2009; 24 April 2009; 8 & 15 May 2009, 12, 19 & 26 June 2009; 3 July 2009; and 16 October 2009.

The average sitting day lasted 7 hours and 35 minutes; and the average duration of sitting beyond the moment of interruption (10 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 p.m. on Thursday and 2.30 p.m. on Fridays) was 36 minutes.

All figures are in hours and minutes
MonthNo. of days No. of hours of sittingNo. of hours after moment of interruption
2008-09 Session began 3 December
December 20081284.02
6 .02
Christmas adjournment

19 December 2008-9 January 2009
January 20091291.37
6.02
February 20091394.59
4.59
February adjournment

13 February 2009-20 February 2009
March 200922164.44
11.37
Easter adjournment

3 April 2009-17 April 2009
April 20091187.57
7.57
May 200913104.03
14.10
Whitsun adjournment

22 May 2009-29 May 2009
June 200921159.28
10.56
July 200914105.31
11.05
Summer adjournment

22 July 2009-9 October 2009
October 200913102.38
8.19
November 2009858.54
3.12
Parliament prorogued 12 November 2009
TOTAL:1391053.51
84.19


Days and hours of sitting

(all figures are in hours and minutes)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Bold type indicates days on which the House rose at or after midnight

A denotes a day allotted for the consideration of Estimates under S.O. No. 54
DECEMBER 2008
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
3Wednesday11.25 am 9.55 pm10.30
4Thursday10.30 am 6.13 pm7.43
0.13
8Monday2.30 pm 11.30 pm9.00
1.30
9Tuesday2.30 pm 10.28 pm7.58
0.28
10Wednesday11.30 am 7.34 pm8.04
0.34
11Thursday10.30 am 6.45 pm8.15
0.45
15Monday2.30 pm 11.13 pm8.43
1.13
16 ATuesday 2.30 pm10.33 pm8.03
0.33
17Wednesday11.30 am 7.15pm7.45
0.15
18Thursday10.30 am 6.31 pm8.01
0.31
     House rose for Christmas adjournment
  
No. of sitting days: 12TOTAL: 84.02
6.02





JANUARY 2009
House sat after Christmas adjournment
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
12Monday2.30 pm 9.17 pm6.47
?
13Tuesday2.30 pm 7.36 pm5.06
?
14Wednesday11.30 am 7.31 pm8.01
0.31
15Thursday10.30 am 6.28 pm7.58
0.28
19Monday2.30 pm 10.30 pm8.00
0.30
20Tuesday2.30 pm 10.30 pm8.00
0.30
21Wednesday11.30 am 7.54 pm8.24
0.54
22Thursday10.30 am 4.42 pm6.12
?
26Monday2.30 pm 11.26 pm8.56
1.26
27Tuesday2.30 pm 10.29 pm7.59
0.29
28Wednesday11.30 am 7.44 pm8.14
0.44
29Thursday10.30 am 6.30 pm8.00
0.30
No. of sitting days: 12TOTAL: 91.37
6.02


FEBRUARY 2009
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
2Monday2.30 pm 9.45 pm7.15
3Tuesday2.30 pm 10.47 pm8.17
0.47
4Wednesday11.30 am 7.09 pm7.39
0.09
5Thursday10.30 am 6.26 pm7.56
0.26
9Monday2.30 pm 10.29 pm7.59
0.29
10Tuesday2.30 pm 9.59 pm7.29
11Wednesday11.30 am 7.54 pm8.24
0.54
12Thursday10.30 am 3.47 pm5.17
February adjournment
23Monday2.30 pm 10.28 pm7.58
0.28
24Tuesday2.30 pm 10.49 pm8.19
0.49
25Wednesday11.30 am 4.29 pm4.59
26Thursday10.30 am 6.27 pm7.57
0.27
27Friday9.30 am 3.00 pm5.30
0.30
No. of sitting days: 13TOTAL: 94.59
4.59


MARCH 2009
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
2Monday2.30 pm 10.45 pm8.15
0.45
3Tuesday2.30 pm 9.24 pm6.54
4Wednesday11.30 am 7.47 pm8.17
0.47
5Thursday10.30 am 6.31 pm8.01
0.31
6Friday9.30 am 3.00 pm5.30
0.30
9 AMonday 2.30 pm 10.38 pm8.08
0.38
10Tuesday2.30 pm 10.42 pm8.12
0.42
11Wednesday11.30 am 7.51 pm8.21
0.51
12Thursday10.30 am 6.33 pm8.03
0.33
13Friday9.30 am 2.56 pm5.26
0.26
16Monday2.30 pm 10.05 pm7.35
0.05
17Tuesday2.30 pm 10.26 pm7.56
0.26
18Wednesday11.30 am 7.57 pm8.27
0.57
19Thursday10.30 am 4.43 pm6.13
20Friday9.30 am 2.54 pm5.24
0.24
23Monday2.30 pm 10.34 pm8.04
0.34
24Tuesday2.30 pm 10.44 pm8.14
0.44
25Wednesday11.30 am 7.47 pm8.17
0.47
26Thursday10.30 am 6.29 pm7.59
0.29
27Friday9.30 am 2.58 pm5.28
0.28
30Monday2.30 pm 10.30 pm8.00
0.30
31Tuesday2.30 pm 10.30 pm8.00
0.30
No. of sitting days: 22TOTAL: 164.44
11.37


APRIL 2009
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
1Wednesday11.30 am 7.39 pm8.09
0.39
2Thursday10.30 am 6.32 pm8.02
0.32
Easter adjournment
20Monday2.30 pm 10.27 pm7.57
0.27
21Tuesday2.30 pm 10.13 pm7.43
0.13
22Wednesday11.30 am 7.30 pm8.00
0.30
23Thursday10.30 am 6.23 pm7.53
0.23
24Friday9.30 am 2.57 pm5.27
0.27
27Monday2.30 pm 10.30 pm8.00
0.30
28Tuesday2.30 pm 11.34 pm9.04
1.34
29Wednesday11.30 am 9.07 pm9.37
2.07
30Thursday10.30 am 6.35 pm8.05
0.35
No. of sitting days: 11TOTAL: 87.57
7.57



MAY 2009
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
5Tuesday2.30 pm 10.41 pm8.11
0.41
6Wednesday11.30 am 10.20 pm10.50
3.20
7Thursday10.30 am 6.08 pm7.38
0.08
8Friday9.30 am 2.55 pm5.25
0.25
11Monday2.30 pm 10.54 pm8.24
0.54
12Tuesday 2.30 pm1.51 am 11.21
3.51
13Wednesday11.30 am 10.01 pm11.31
3.01
14Thursday10.30 am 5.11 pm6.41
15Friday9.30 am 3.00 pm5.30
0.30
18Monday2.30 pm 10.47 pm8.17
0.47
19Tuesday2.30 pm 10.26 pm7.56
0.26
20Wednesday11.30 am 7.07 pm7.37
0.07
21Thursday10.30 am 4.12 pm5.42
House rose for Whitsun adjournment
No. of sitting days: 13TOTAL: 104.03
14.10


JUNE 2009
House sat after Whitsun adjournment
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
1Monday2.30 pm 11.01 pm8.31
1.01
2Tuesday2.30 pm 9.01 pm6.31
3Wednesday11.30 am 6.51 pm7.21
4Thursday10.30 am 6.22 pm7.52
0.22
8Monday2.30 pm 10.46 pm8.16
0.46
9Tuesday2.30 pm 10.49 pm8.19
0.49
10Wednesday11.30 am 7.42 pm8.12
0.42
11Thursday10.30 am 5.53 pm7.23
12Friday9.30 am 2.55 pm5.25
0.25
15Monday2.30 pm 10.59 pm8.29
0.59
16Tuesday2.30 pm 10.41 pm8.11
0.41
17Wednesday11.30 am 6.47 pm7.17
18Thursday10.30 am 6.21 pm7.51
0.21
19Friday9.30 am 3.01 pm5.31
0.31
22Monday2.30 pm 10.07 pm7.37
0.07
23Tuesday2.30 pm 10.28 pm7.58
0.28
24Wednesday11.30 am 8.00 pm8.30
1.00
25Thursday10.30 am 6.10 pm7.40
0.10
26Friday9.30 am 3.04 pm5.34
0.34
29Monday2.30 pm 10.57 pm8.27
0.57
30Tuesday2.30 pm 11.03 pm8.33
1.03
No. of sitting days: 21TOTAL: 159.28
10.56


JULY 2009
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
1Wednesday11.30 am 9.06 pm9.36
2.06
2 AThursday 10.30 am6.27 pm7.57
0.27
3Friday9.30 am 3.04 pm5.34
0.34
6Monday2.30 pm 11.01 pm8.31
1.01
7Tuesday2.30 pm 10.34 pm8.04
0.34
8Wednesday11.30 am 7.38 pm8.08
0.38
9Thursday10.30 am 5.26 pm6.56
13Monday2.30 pm 10.39 pm8.09
0.39
14Tuesday2.30 pm 10.45 pm8.15
0.45
15Wednesday11.30 am 7.47 pm8.17
0.47
16Thursday10.30 am 6.28 pm7.58
0.28
20Monday 2.30 pm12.29 am 9.59
2.29
21Tuesday2.30 pm 10.37 pm8.07
0.37
House rose for Summer adjournment
No. of sitting days: 14TOTAL: 105.31
11.05


OCTOBER 2008
House sat after Summer adjournment
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
12Monday2.30 pm 10.31 pm8.01
0.31
13Tuesday2.30 pm 10.43 pm8.13
0.43
14Wednesday11.30 am 7.42 pm8.12
0.42
15Thursday10.30 am 6.22 pm7.52
0.22
16Friday9.30 am 3.05 pm5.35
0.35
19Monday2.30 pm 10.29 pm7.59
0.29
20Tuesday2.30 pm 10.46 pm8.16
0.46
21Wednesday11.30 am 7.47 pm8.17
0.47
22Thursday10.30 am 5.17 pm6.47
26Monday2.30 pm 10.47 pm8.17
0.47
27Tuesday2.30 pm 10.27 pm7.57
0.27
28Wednesday11.30 am 8.40 pm9.10
1.40
29Thursday10.30 am 6.30 pm8.00
0.30
No. of sitting days: 13TOTAL: 102.38
8.19


November 2009
Day of the month Day of the week Hour of meetingHour of adjournment No. of hours No. of hours after moment of interruption
2Monday2.30 pm 10.29 pm7.59
0.29
3Tuesday2.30 pm 10.49 pm8.19
0.49
4Wednesday11.30 am 7.31 pm8.01
0.31
5Thursday10.30 am 6.30 pm8.00
0.30
9Monday2.30 pm 10.53 pm8.23
0.53
10Tuesday2.30 pm 7.43 pm5.13
11Wednesday2.30 pm 9.01 pm6.31
12Thursday10.30 am 4.58 pm6.28
Parliament prorogued
No. of sitting days: 8TOTAL: 58.54
3.12


Under Standing Order No. 10, on days on which the House sits there are sittings in Westminster Hall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays these sittings begin at half-past nine o'clock, are suspended from half-past eleven o'clock until two o'clock and may then continue for up to a further two and a half hours. On Thursdays sittings begin at half-past two o'clock and continue for up to three hours. Any Member of the House may take part in sittings in Westminster Hall; and the business is appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means.

B  DAYS AND HOURS OF SITTING IN WESTMINSTER HALL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A denotes a day on which a Select Committee Report was debated

In calculating sitting times for Westminster Hall, the lunch-time suspensions occurring under the provisions of Standing Order No. 10 have not been included. Suspensions for other reasons, including Divisions in the House, are included in the total.
DECEMBER 2008
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
16Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
17Wednesday9.30 am 5.20 pm
4.49
18 AThursday 2.30 pm5.28 pm
2.58
No. of sitting days: 3TOTAL:
12.16

JANUARY 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
13Tuesday9.30 am 1.58 pm
4.28
14Wednesday9.30 am 5.00 pm
4.30
15 AThursday 2.30 pm4.17 pm
1.47
20Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
21Wednesday9.30 am 5.13 pm
4.41
22Thursday2.30 pm 4.21 pm
1.51
27Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
28Wednesday9.30 am 4.59 pm
4.28
29Thursday2.30 pm 3.33 pm
1.03
No. of sitting days: 9TOTAL:
31.47



FEBRUARY 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
3Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
4Wednesday9.30 am 4.59 pm
4.29
5 AThursday 2.30 pm5.30 pm
3.00
10Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
11Wednesday9.30 am 5.14 pm
4.44
12 AThursday 2.30 pm5.30 pm
3.00
24Tuesday9.30 am 1.57 pm
4.27
25Wednesday9.30 am 5.00 pm
4.30
26 AThursday 2.30 pm5.30 pm
3.00
No. of sitting days: 9TOTAL:
36.05


MARCH 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
3Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
4Wednesday9.30 am 5.10 pm
4.28
5 AThursday 2.30 pm 5.19 pm
2.49
10Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
11Wednesday9.30 am 5.30 pm
5.00
12Thursday2.30 pm 3.28 pm
0.58
17Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
18Wednesday9.30 am 4.56 pm
4.21
19 AThursday 2.30 pm5.00 pm
2.30
24Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
25 Wednesday9.30 am 5.27 pm
4.53
26 AThursday 2.30 pm4.59 pm
2.29
31Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
No. of sitting days: 13TOTAL:
49.55


APRIL 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
1Wednesday9.30 am 5.11 pm
4.41
2 AThursday 2.30 pm4.35 pm
2.05
21Tuesday9.30 am 1.53 pm
4.23
22Wednesday9.30 am 5.00 pm
4.29
23 AThursday 2.30 pm5.29 pm
2.59
28Tuesday9.30 am 1.55 pm
4.25
29Wednesday9.30 am 5.13 pm
4.43
No. of sitting days: 7TOTAL:
27.45


MAY 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
5Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
6Wednesday9.30 am 4.59 pm
4.29
7Thursday2.30 pm 4.33 pm
2.30
12Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
13Wednesday9.30 am 5.25 pm
4.55
14 AThursday 2.30 pm4.45 pm
2.15
19Tuesday9.30 am 1.55 pm
4.25
20Wednesday9.30 am 5.23 pm
4.52
21 AThursday 2.30 pm3.50 pm
1.20
No. of sitting days: 9TOTAL:
33.45


JUNE 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
2Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
3Wednesday9.30 am 4.59 pm
4.26
4Thursday2.30 pm 4.09 pm
1.39
9Tuesday9.30 am 1.57 pm
4.27
10Wednesday9.30 am 5.00 pm
4.25
11 AThursday 2.30 pm4.37 pm
2.07
16Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
17Wednesday9.30 am 5.21 pm
4.47
18 AThursday 2.30 pm4.50 pm
2.20
23Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
24Wednesday9.30 am 4.54 pm
4.23
25 AThursday 2.30 pm6.16 pm
3.46
30Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
No. of sitting days: 13TOTAL:
50.17


JULY 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
1Wednesday9.30 am 5.39 pm
5.07
2Thursday2.30 pm 5.01 pm
2.31
7Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
8Wednesday9.30 am 5.00 pm
4.30
9 AThursday 2.30 pm5.46 pm
3.16
14Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.30
15Wednesday9.30 am 5.02 pm
4.32
16 AThursday 2.30 pm5.26 pm
2.56
21Tuesday2.30 pm 2.00 pm
4.30
No. of sitting days: 9TOTAL:
36.21


OCTOBER 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
13Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
14Wednesday9.30 am 5.09 pm
4.39
15Thursday2.30 pm 4.55 pm
2.25
20Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
21Wednesday9.30 am 5.06 pm
4.28
22 AThursday 2.30 pm4.45 pm
2.15
27Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
28Wednesday9.30 am 5.12 pm
4.40
29 AThursday 2.30 pm4.52 pm
2.22
No. of sitting days: 9TOTAL:
34.17


NOVEMBER 2009
Day of the month Day of the Week Hour of meeting Hour of adjournment No. of hours
3Tuesday9.30 am 2.00 pm
4.30
4Wednesday9.30 am 5.01 pm
4.31
5 AThursday 2.30 pm5.24 pm
2.54
10Tuesday9.30 am 1.59 pm
4.29
11Wednesday3.30 pm 8.13 pm
4.43
12 AThursday 2.30 pm4.32 pm
2.02
No. of sitting days: 6TOTAL:
23.07


C  DISTRIBUTION OF TIME ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE BETWEEN  PRINCIPAL TYPES OF BUSINESS
  Time spent (hours and minutes)
  In total After moment of interruption
Addresses other than Motions to annul or revoke Statutory Instruments 31.351.54
Government Bills:     
Read a second time and committed to Public Bill Committee 61.470.48
Read a second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House (in whole or part) 28.043.02
Read a second time and not committed- -
Committee of the whole House43.17 7.11
Consideration77.530.49
Third Reading9.040.43
Lords Amendments and subsequent stages 28.380.58
Allocation of Time8.11 0.57
Committal and carry-over 0.56 0.18
Private Members' Bills:     
  Second Reading and all stages 48.230.15
  Other stages12.48 0.07
Private Business three hours before the moment of interruption 3.56-
Government Motions:     
  European Union Documents5.32 0.00
  Business Motions1.55 0.13
General39.00 2.52
Opposition Days127.18 6.30
Opposition Motions in Government time (other than Motions to annul or revoke Statutory Instruments) --
Private Members' Motions     
  Substantive8.12 0.07
  Ten-Minute Rule8.42 -
Adjournment, general and topical debates:     
  General debates100.01 -
Topical Debates16.12 -
  Daily69.17 49.28
  Standing Order No. 24 debate --
  Last day before recess15.55 0.01
Estimates (debates on Select Committee Reports under Standing Order No. 54) 13.410.07
Money Resolutions1.32 0.26
Ways and Means22.441.21
Motions for approval of Statutory Instruments 12.300.18
Motions to annul or revoke Statutory Instruments 7.07-
No Question before the House:     
  Questions to Ministers 91.37-
  Topical Questions21.45 -
  Urgent Questions4.05 -
  Statements65.08 2.13
  Business Statements 24.590.07
  Standing Order No. 24 Applications 0.07-
  Points of Order10.48 1.02
  Public Petitions3.02 2.24
  Miscellaneous

(including suspensions of the proceedings   of the House)1

12.190.08
Daily Prayers10.54-
       
TOTAL1048.5484.19

1 Not including suspensions on the days of State Opening or Prorogation.


D  DISTRIBUTION OF TIME IN WESTMINSTER HALL BETWEEN  APPLICABLE TYPES OF BUSINESS
  Time spent

(hours and minutes)

Adjournment:  
  Government15.01
  Balloted259.14
  Debates on Select Committee Reports   selected by the Liaison Committee 52.26
  Cross-cutting Questions0.00
Points of Order0.14
Suspension10.53
    
TOTAL

Total number of sitting days in Westminster Hall

337.48

86





 
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Prepared 26 January 2010