HC Deb 08 June 1981 vol 6 cc14-5
26. Mr. Dormand

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make proposals for changes in the hours of sittings of the House.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Paymaster General and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Francis Pym)

I have at present no such proposals.

Mr. Dormand

Why is the right hon. Gentleman so reluctant to initiate such a change? Is it because he agrees with the concept of part-time Members of Parliament? Does not he agree that it would be a much more efficient way of proceeding to have day-time sittings? Would not it result in the much more efficient conduct of the affairs of the nation?

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer a question which no other Leader of the House has answered? Why can every other Western democracy arrange its affairs in this way when we cannot?

Mr. Pym

Taking the hon. Gentleman's last question first, the reason is that every country and every Parliament has a different history. In our case, we evolved and developed in this way, and comparisons with other Parliaments are not necessarily relevant. This matter has been considered from time to time by the Procedure Committee. On the last occasion that it considered this, it came down heavily against any radical alteration. It is right to say that for a change of considerable substance such as the hon. Gentleman proposes, it is better to proceed by the general agreement of the House, and I do not think that such general agreement exists about the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

Mr. Adley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he allowed himself to be pushed into accepting some of the proposals which emanate from time to time from Opposition Members, it would only be a matter of time before hon. Members demanded time-and-a-half for working after five o'clock and, presumably, double time for attending to their civic duties on Sundays? Is my right hon. Friend further aware that most of us think that the present arrangements are perfectly satisfactory?

Mr. Pym

So long as I hold my present office, I hope that I shall be able to help the House to steer and develop its procedures in accordance with the general wishes of the House.

Mr. William Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, from the point of view of the Opposition, the most important weapon in our hands in the House is time? If there were any kind of agreement to restrict the hours of sitting of the House to ordinary office hours, it would be to the great advantage to the Government of the day. That would be deplorable.

Mr. Pym

Yes. There is a desire in some quarters, understandably perhaps, to stop all-night sittings. But if we did that, we should stop the voices of those who disagreed, and this place is about people who disagree. Any change which was restrictive of time is one against which the House should guard carefully. I am not suggesting that we should turn our faces completely against any change, because that would not be right. But we have to bear in mind that time is very important for the Opposition.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Does my right hon. Friend share my astonishment at finding myself in full agreement with the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) about this?

Mr. William Hamilton

Keep quiet about it!

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is it not the case that we have experimented with morning sittings, which were found to be a dismal failure? If we wish to do our duty in this place to which we have had the honour to be returned, we must be prepared to sit late.

Mr. Pym

I think that is absolutely right but, for example, there has been a change in the timing of our Friday sittings, and, on the whole, that minor change, has met with general approval of the House.