Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Kevin Brennan Excerpts
Thursday 19th December 2013

(10 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tom Brake Portrait Tom Brake
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for that question. The House will sit for roughly 150 days, which the Procedure Committee believes is appropriate. I cannot give an exact figure because we cannot predict whether there will be the opportunity or need to recall Parliament.

Kevin Brennan Portrait Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)
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Instead of having a November recess, why not get rid of the ludicrous September recall, bring the party conferences forward to earlier in September, and have a straight run through to Christmas? Would that not save a lot of money and make a lot more sense?

Tom Brake Portrait Tom Brake
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I am sure Members of the House would like to consider that proposal, but the introduction of the September sitting was to avoid the long gap between the end of July and October when the House returns. Members, I hope, will agree it is useful to have that opportunity for the House to meet, because there may be important matters that we want to discuss in September.