WIREDGOV

• Read the report summary
• Read the report conclusions and recommendations
• Read the full report: Sitting hours of the House: response to a survey of Members

Majority of Members support current sitting hours

The survey found that a majority of Members support current sitting hours for each regular sitting Monday-Thursday, and that there is no obvious consensus on any alternative programme.

However the report urges further considerations as to whether Friday sittings should continue to be held under the current system, expressing disappointment that the Government has not yet supported reform of the private Members' bill procedures.

There is also a recommendation for the successor committee to hold an inquiry into the provision of "injury time" in cases where the main business of the day has been substantially curtailed.

Chair's comment

Chair of the Procedure Committee, Charles Walker OBE MP said:

"Due to the intervention of the early General Election we have not had an opportunity to sponsor a debate in the House on its sitting hours.

It is important that the hours allow for effective timetabling and scrutiny of parliamentary business, whilst ensuring an adequate work-life balance.

We reiterate our concerns that a failure to reform outdated private Members' bill procedures threatens the future of sitting Fridays.

I look forward to our successor committee continuing inquiries into this important issue for Members, with a debate on sitting hours taking place before the Christmas recess at the end of next year."

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees