§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will set out in detail the reasons why he does not consider that a further inquiry to examine the daily hours of sitting of the House and the periods during the year when the House should sit would be justified.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe Select Committee on Procedure (Session 1977–8) undertook in its first report a detailed examination of the present arrangements for Sessions and sittings, and concluded that a radical reorganisation of hours of sittings should not be recommended. The398W Committee further concluded, with regard to recess arrangements, that
significant changes are not easy to contemplate".The Committee's recommendations, in cluding the changes proposed in the arrangements for Friday sittings, were debated by the House on 31 October, 1979.
As I previously indicated to my hon. Friend, I do not consider a further inquiry into this matter would be justified at the present time, but, as Leader of the House, I shall continue to take into account the interests of hon. Members, particularly those with family commitments.—[Vol. 989, c. 136.]