MPs vote on 'three and a half day week'

MPs could this week vote themselves what critics claim will be a three-and-a-half-day week.

The move follows arguments over the current Commons timetable which has been designed to give MPs more time with their families.

At present, the House sits from 2.30pm to 10pm on Monday and 11.30am to 7pm on Tuesday to Thursday. Fridays are reserved for Private Member's Bills or constituency business. The Commons modernisation committee wants to start an hour earlier on Thursdays to allow four full days of business.

But there is growing support for an amendment which proposes that the Tuesday session should start in the afternoon and finish at 10pm.

Critics say this would effectively mean many MPs would only work a three-and-a-half-day week, as many travel home to their constituencies early on Thursday, while others, especially those living outside London, often skip Monday and do not arrive in Westminster until late on Tuesday.

The result of the vote on Wednesday is said to be on a knife-edge. The issue has split the Cabinet, with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw saying Parliament has suffered under the new hours. However, Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson says he can now see his son before bedtime and "sit and converse with my wife for a few hours every evening".

Joan Ruddock, Labour MP for Lewisham Deptford, said MPs should work a full, four-day week, but late sessions were not necessary.

"Our constituents would think we were mad if we returned to the old, late proceedings. When people spend time in the bars and restaurants and not the Chamber it's not good for MPs and it's not good for lawmaking."