asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will bring forward proposals for changing the hours of sittings of the House.

I have no such proposals.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why he thinks that every other Parliament in the Western world is able to conduct its affairs during normal working hours? Will he also say whether he thinks it is the most efficient way to deal with legislation to go on into the early hours of the morning, or through the night sometimes? Does not he agree that most of those who prefer that system do so because they like to be able to get on with another job?

The Procedure Committee considered this question and took the view that a radical reorganisation of the hours of sitting of the House should not be recommended. It did, however, recommend the early Friday sitting, and I provided the House with an opportunity to implement that proposal.

I do not think that late-night sittings are desirable. Perhaps I might point out to the hon. Member that on only four out of the 181 sitting days of this Session has the House sat after 4 a.m. [Interruption.] That compares quite favourably with earlier days. On only 72 occasions did the House sit after mid-night. I do not think that in this Session hon. Members have been unduly incommoded.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is not the hours of sitting that are wrong but the amount of legislation which all Governments bring forward? Can we expect some remission in the autumn?

I have some sympathy with my hon. Friend. I have said to the House before, and I say again today, that it is my hope that in the next Session of Parliament we shall have a much lighter legislative load, because it is no part of Conservative philosophy to turn the House of Commons into a legislation factory.