MPs see little change in new hours

Huw Irranca-Davies will still spend his week in Westminster

MPs from constituencies in Wales say that the abolition of late-night sittings in the House of Commons will make little difference to them.

From Wednesday, the centuries-old tradition of late-night debates at Westminster will end, meaning that many MPs will have more time to spend in their constituencies and with their families.

MP's wife Joanna Irranca-Davies looks after the children

But some Welsh MPs say that the travelling time between London and Wales means that they will continue to spend their working week in Westminster.

Ogmore MP Huw Irranca-Davies said that the new earlier hours would only make a difference to members from London and the south east of England.

He added: "It's not going to make a great deal of difference.

'Maximum use'

"I'll make the maximum use of my evenings, but while London and south-east MPs are back with their families, I'll be pushing a south Wales agenda."

Mr Irranca-Davies' wife, Joanna, added that her husband's work in London, meant that she was often left to look after the family.

She said: "I get the homework, reading bed-time stories and making sure that they (the children) are not naughty - all those bringing-up things."

Last October, MPs backed Commons leader Robin Cook's proposal to start the chamber's eight-hour day three hours earlier.

Westminster hours

Monday: 1430-2200 GMT

Tuesday: 1130-1900 GMT

Wednesday: 1130-1900 GMT

Thursday: 1130-1800 GMT

Friday: 0930-1430 GMT

Modernisers say the changes are crucial to make the chamber seem more relevant and "up-to-date" to the voting public.

Only Mondays will now have the traditional late start, to allow MPs to return from their constituencies.

However, MPs have agreed to have a shorter summer break, returning to Parliament in September rather than October.

MPs also backed a general time limit of 10 minutes for speeches.

Family-friendly

Prime minister's question time will move forward from 1500 GMT to 1200 GMT on Wednesday.

The Welsh Assembly preceded Westminster in introducing family-friendly working hours.

But a number of assembly members from north Wales spend their working week in Cardiff to cut down on travelling.

The shorter summer recess at Westminster could also have implications for AMs.

A spokesperson for the assembly Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas said the matter would be considered by the assembly's business committee this term.

However, it was unlikely that a decision would be made until after the assembly elections in May.

It would then be for the newly-constituted assembly to decide on the issue