Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)
My Lords, a couple of weeks ago I confirmed the dates of the conference Recess. Now might be a convenient point for me to inform the House of the proposed sitting dates for the remainder of the year, including sitting Fridays. In the customary fashion, a copy of these dates will be available in the Printed Paper Office and they will be included in tomorrow’s edition of Forthcoming Business.
We will, as normal, have a short half-term adjournment in November. We will rise at the conclusion of business on Tuesday 7 November and return on Monday 13 November. We will adjourn for the Christmas break at the conclusion of business on Thursday 21 December and return on Monday 8 January. I can also let Members know that we intend for the House to sit on the following Fridays: 27 October, 24 November, 8 December and 15 December. We have already announced that the House is to sit on 8 September. As I am unlikely to address the House again beforehand, may I wish all Members a happy summer Recess?
Lord Shutt of Greetland (LD)
My Lords, it is very helpful that the noble Lord has given us this information. I have done a little research and those of your Lordships with grandchildren may just notice that they know where they stand in terms of sitting days and recesses until July 2019. Now that we have a two-year Parliament, might I put it to the noble Lord that he should have fraternity with his right honourable friend in the Commons and come forward with a longer timespan, so that your Lordships may plan a bit more than they are able to at present?
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
I note what the noble Lord has said. It is quite unusual to be able to go as far as we have today. If the noble Lord had researched this, he would discover that these recess dates coincide exactly with those of the House of Commons. We are trying to integrate the functioning of both Houses. There is a limit to how far ahead we can go and I have to emphasise to all noble Lords that these dates are subject to the usual passage of business.