Harman defends MPs' recess dates

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Harriet Harman has defended the length of time Parliament will not be sitting in February, saying the seven-day recess is not a "holiday" for MPs.

The Leader of the House confirmed that the Commons rises on 10 February and business resumes on 22 February.

MPs would work in their constituencies over the period, she stressed.

The Conservatives have been pressing for details of the Easter recess - which could point to the likely date of the general election - to be published.

'Curry favour'

Ms Harman said the February recess would not detract from the passage of the government's legislative programme, consideration of which she told MPs was "well underway".

Opposition parties have said the proximity of the election - which must be held by 3 June - means Parliament will not have enough time to pass most of the bills outlined in November's Queen's Speech.

During business questions in the Commons, Ms Harman said it was wrong to "complain" about the length of the February recess - which coincides with half term - as MPs would still be working even though Parliament was not sitting.

"We work in two places at once. I would not want [the Tories] to curry favour with those people who would like to imply that when we are not here in this House we are on holiday. That is not the case."

Sir George Young, shadow leader of the House, said ministers should end "uncertainty" over the dates of the Easter holiday recess.

'All-time low'

With an election expected to be held on 6 May, Parliament could be dissolved soon after Easter - which is on the first weekend of April.

Opposition parties have been critical of the length of last year's summer and Christmas recesses, saying they further damaged the standing of MPs at a time when trust in Parliament is at an all-time low after revelations about expenses.

Commons Speaker John Bercow has urged Parliament to cut short its summer recess after this year's election, returning in September rather than October as normal.