Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Acknowledged
Procedural options available to manage sitting times, but long-term changes are beyond inquiry
Conclusion
The House has regularly considered issues relating to sitting times and the prioritisation of business. The Government can propose, and the House can consider, procedural options to mitigate these issues in the short term, for example, notwithstanding Standing Orders or agreeing to Business of the House motions. It is also able to consider the findings of wider reviews, to provide sustainable long-term changes in this area. We believe this is beyond the remit of this inquiry, but it is an issue that another committee of the House may want to address. (Conclusion, Paragraph 62)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government notes the conclusion and states it already balances oral statements with other business, avoiding overuse of ad hoc motions to maintain certainty of sitting times.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The Government notes this recommendation. When arranging oral statements the Government tries to ensure this is balanced with the main business of the day, other upcoming relevant parliamentary business and the interests of the House. By convention, oral statements are avoided where possible on Opposition days. However, there are occasions where statements are unavoidable and it is important that the Government makes such announcements to the House. The granting of Urgent Questions is a matter for the Speaker.
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