house of commons egoli solar5 januaryww Christmas Recess18...

house of commons egoli solar5 januaryww Christmas Recess18 December 2003 5 January 2004
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Weekly Information Bulletin: 20th December 2003
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Presentation and Publication of Bills and Acts
15 - 18 December 2003


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Where can I find out about the schedule of debates taking place in Parliament?
The Weekly Information Bulletin provides a summary of what is happening in the House of Commons and House of Lords on a weekly basis. The Summary Agenda lists House of Commons business each day.

Are members of the public admitted to the House of Commons to watch debates?
Yes, members of the public are admitted to the Strangers' Gallery. See Visits to the Gallery of the House of Commons. There are separate pages about visiting the House of Lords.

Are members of the public admitted to Select Committee meetings and Standing Committee meetings?
Yes, some meetings are open to the public. See The Weekly Information Bulletin for details of public committee meetings. A recorded message for Select Committee information is also available by telephoning 020 7219 2033.

What are the sitting hours of the House of Commons?
The House of Commons usually sits at the following times:
14.30 - 22.30 on Mondays
11.30 - 19.30 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
11.30 - 18.30 on Thursdays
09.30 - 15.00 on sitting Fridays
The House of Commons will sit on the following Fridays in 2003:
31 January; 7 & 28 February; 7, 14, 21 & 28 March; 4 April; 16 May; 13 & 20 June; 4 & 11 July
Westminster Hall debates take place at the following times:
09.30 - 11.30 & 14.00 - 16.30 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
14.30 - 17.30 on Thursdays
Hours of sittings immediatly following a recess or adjournment of more than 4 days will adopt Monday sitting times, except in Westminster Hall where the sitting will begin at 09.30 and conclude at 14.00.

Is it possible to view live coverage of parliament online and on television?
Yes. Continuous live coverage of the proceedings is available online. See Watch Parliament online. For details of television and radio coverage, see Factsheet G5 Broadcasting Proceedings of the House.

Where can I read the text of debates that take place in the House of Commons?
The full text of daily debates is reported in Hansard the following day. House of Commons Hansard and House of Lords Hansard are available from 8 am.

When does the Budget take place?
The Budget Statement usually takes place in March. The date is usually only confirmed a few weeks in advance. See Budget FAQs for further information.

When is the Ballot for Private Members' Bills held?
The ballot takes on the second sitting Thursday of the session. The Bills are introduced on the fifth sitting Wednesday of the session. See Private Members' Ballot FAQs

When does the State Opening of Parliament take place?
This years State Opening will take place on the 26 November 2003. The State Opening usually takes place in October or November on the first day of the new parliamentary session. There will also be a State Opening shortly after a general election. See State Opening of Parliament FAQs.

When does the House of Commons go into recess?
The Leader of the House has announced the Commons calendar for the next parliamentary session (2003/04):

RecessHouse will riseHouse returns
Christmas Recess18 December 20035 January 2004
Half Term Week12 February 200423 February 2004
Easter Recess8 April 200419 April 2004
Whit Recess27 May 20047 June 2004
Summer Recess22 July 20047 September 2004
Conference Recess16 September 200411 October 2004