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MPs to ponder summer holiday cut MPs to ponder summer holiday cut
(about 2 hours later)
MPs have agreed to look at whether Parliament should meet in September - currently their break runs from early summer until October. MPs have agreed to look at whether Parliament should meet in September - a month that currently forms part of their summer break.
Following a debate on plans put forward by the Wright Committee on Commons reforms, they also approved calls to cut the size of select committees.Following a debate on plans put forward by the Wright Committee on Commons reforms, they also approved calls to cut the size of select committees.
MPs agreed to a trial of debates on issues put forward by public petitions.MPs agreed to a trial of debates on issues put forward by public petitions.
Votes on some key issues were shelved until next week, including whether committee chairs should be elected.Votes on some key issues were shelved until next week, including whether committee chairs should be elected.
Expenses scandalExpenses scandal
In a concession, Commons leader Harriet Harman had supported a backbench move which would have handed some power over the scheduling of government business to a cross-party House Business Committee.In a concession, Commons leader Harriet Harman had supported a backbench move which would have handed some power over the scheduling of government business to a cross-party House Business Committee.
But Speaker John Bercow said this issue would also be voted on after a debate on March 4.But Speaker John Bercow said this issue would also be voted on after a debate on March 4.
The Wright Committee, chaired by Labour MP Tony Wright, was set up to improve the standing of the House in the wake of the expenses scandal.The Wright Committee, chaired by Labour MP Tony Wright, was set up to improve the standing of the House in the wake of the expenses scandal.
Ms Harman had hoped its "far-reaching package of reforms" would be go through "on the nod".Ms Harman had hoped its "far-reaching package of reforms" would be go through "on the nod".
But the proposal to elect select committee members by secret ballot rather than through the nomination of party whips was blocked by a single cry of "object" from the Labour backbenches and will also be debated and voted on on 4 March.But the proposal to elect select committee members by secret ballot rather than through the nomination of party whips was blocked by a single cry of "object" from the Labour backbenches and will also be debated and voted on on 4 March.
'Damaging storm''Damaging storm'
Shadow Commons leader Sir George Young questioned the "unorthodox" approach adopted by the government, which allowed a single MP to block any of the proposals and force further debate next week.Shadow Commons leader Sir George Young questioned the "unorthodox" approach adopted by the government, which allowed a single MP to block any of the proposals and force further debate next week.
Mr Wright said Parliament had been "battered by the most ferocious and damaging storm in its history" and there was "a massive enterprise of restoration and reconstruction to be undertaken".Mr Wright said Parliament had been "battered by the most ferocious and damaging storm in its history" and there was "a massive enterprise of restoration and reconstruction to be undertaken".
He told MPs: "Let nobody think that once we've attended to the expenses issue or had a general election, all will be well."He told MPs: "Let nobody think that once we've attended to the expenses issue or had a general election, all will be well."
For the Liberal Democrats, David Heath backed the reforms as "necessary" but said they were only a "small step in the right direction".For the Liberal Democrats, David Heath backed the reforms as "necessary" but said they were only a "small step in the right direction".
He said there ought to be a "tide of reform coming in" after having reached what was perhaps the "high water of executive power".He said there ought to be a "tide of reform coming in" after having reached what was perhaps the "high water of executive power".
MPs currently break up in early summer, not returning until October. Some argue this allows less scrutiny of government than should be the case.MPs currently break up in early summer, not returning until October. Some argue this allows less scrutiny of government than should be the case.