Tag Archives: recess

Lords and Commons out of sync

Lord Knight 18/07/2011 – 10:56 am

This week sees the beginning of the long summer recess for both the Lords and Commons, but with the Lords working an extra day. This ought not be remarkable as long as events are proceeding in a normal way. But they are not. The Commons finish on Tuesday. For a small group of backbenchers who serve on the Culture Media and Sport select committee they finish with a flourish when their proceedin […]

Written at 10:56 am on 18/07/2011, by Lord Knight


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The recess begins

Lord Norton 30/07/2010 – 11:10 am

The House of Commons rose for the summer recess on Tuesday and the House of Lords on Wednesday.   By the end of Wednesday, after the House had risen, there was still a good deal of activity.  The Despatch Box (the snack bar) in the Atrium in Portcullis House was well patronised.  The giveaway that we were entering the recess was the number of staff in casual dress: it looked more like a dress- […]

Written at 11:10 am on 30/07/2010, by Lord Norton


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Half term

Baroness Deech 20/02/2010 – 10:53 pm

What do peers do during the recess? For me, it provides relief from the horrors of commuting on the train and the underground, a two and a quarter hour journey from door to door, and from living out of a suitcase for two or three nights a week in London. I know many people do the same for reasons of employment, but still, it is a strain. Nevertheless I spent some time at my other job in London. T […]

Written at 10:53 pm on 20/02/2010, by Baroness Deech


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The work goes on

Lord Norton 18/02/2009 – 7:58 pm

The focus of the activity in both Houses is the chamber.  If the Houses are not sitting, or even if they are but the chambers are not full, there appears to be an assumption that members are not doing much. When the House is sitting, a great deal of work is taking place away from the chamber.  Both Houses are more specialised than ever before, working through committees.  On Wednesdays, fo […]

Written at 7:58 pm on 18/02/2009, by Lord Norton


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Should we be sitting?

Lord Norton 15/02/2009 – 12:32 pm

Both Houses rose on Thursday and will not sit again until Monday week (23 February).  The break was introduced as a 'constituency week' for MPs, though it is now generally referred to as half-term.  The Taxpayers' Alliance have argued against having the recess, on the grounds that Parliament should be sitting in order to call Government to account. Should we have continued sitting?   Should t […]

Written at 12:32 pm on 15/02/2009, by Lord Norton


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