Written question asked by Ben Chapman (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 March 2003. It was answered by Robin Cook (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 March 2003 on behalf of the Leader of the House of Commons.

President of the Council;Leader of the House of Commons

Question: To ask the President of the Council, If he will make a statement on the sitting hours of the House. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the President of the Council if he will make a statement on the sitting hours of the House. [101905] Mr. Robin Cook: In October last year, a majority of Members voted to alter the sitting hours so that the House sat from 11.30 am on Tuesday and Wednesday. I know that some Members are not comfortable with the change. I accept that adaptation will take time. It is for that reason that the Standing Orders were changed for the rest of this Parliament. This allows a sufficient period for colleagues to make a considered judgment on the effect of the changes. Members will then have the opportunity to decide whether they wish to revert to late-night sittings. To review the changes after only a few months of the experiment would risk giving the public the impression that the most important decision-making body in the country could not take a clear decision even about its own working practices.

Secondary information