House of Commons

Session 2006 - 07 Internet Publications House of Commons Standing Orders - Public Business

	Sitting Times                                                xvii
Event (and S.O. No.) Monday/ Wednesday1 Thursday Friday       Tuesday           Application for urgent debates2 12 noon 10.30 am 9.30 am —     to Speaker no later than (24)             House sits (9, 11) 2.30 pm 11.30 am 10.30 am 9.30 am     Private business after prayers 2.45 pm 11.45 am 10.45 am —     ends no later than (20)             Question time ends (21) 3.30 pm 12.30 pm 11.30 am —     Urgent questions and statements 3.30 pm 12.30 pm 11.30 am 11 am     (21, 9, 11)             Opposition or Estimates half-day 7 pm 4 pm 3 pm —     ends (if first item) or starts (if             not first item); opposed private             business or urgent debate starts             (14, 54, 20, 24)             Main business interrupted (9, 10 pm 7 pm 6 pm 2.30 pm     11)             End of debate on nomination of 11 pm 8 pm 7 pm 3.30 pm     certain select committees, if             previously opposed (or 1 hour             after commencement, if later)             (15(1)(c))3             End of debate to annul delegated 11.30 pm 8.30 pm 7.30 pm 4 pm     legislation (17)4             Westminster Hall sittings 9.30 am– 9.30–11.30 *2.30– —     (*extra time for divisions in 2 pm (Tue am; 5.30 pm       House) only) *2.30–5 pm
1 Monday times also apply to any Wednesday (but not Thursday) sitting immediately after a periodic adjournment of more than two days, in which case the sitting in Westminster Hall is 9.30 am–2 pm, or on the first day of a Session. The House also sits at 2.30 pm on any day of the week on which a Speaker is to be elected (S.O. No. 1B). 2 Also latest time for application for urgent questions. This deadline is 10 am on sitting Fridays. 3 Also latest time to resume adjourned debate on motion to annul delegated legislation (S.O. No. 17(3), not applicable to Fridays). 4 Debate also limited to 1½ hours (S.O. No. 16).