§ 3.16 p.m.
§ Lord GrocottMy Lords, with permission, I should like to make a brief statement on recess dates. In October last year, I said that, subject to progress of business, the House would rise for the Easter Recess on Thursday, 8 April and return on Monday, 19 April. I also gave details of recess dates up to October this year, which was perhaps a brave, if not foolhardy, thing to do. But it is something that I intend to do my utmost to try to adhere to. I also said that we would try and get as close as possible to Commons recess dates, for all sorts of useful reasons. As the House may have noticed, the Commons have since announced different recess dates. They have extended the Easter Recess to give it another week. I would dearly like to match that. I can say that there has been some progress in the right direction and I am able to inform the House that, subject, as ever, to the progress of business, this House will rise on Tuesday, 6 April and it will return, as previously announced, on Monday, 19 April.