MPs have run out of work to do... so it's time for an extra holiday

Published on 19/10/2007 00:13

MPS are to get an extra week off at the end of this month - just weeks after coming back from their bumper three-month summer recess - because the government has run out of business.

Harriet Harman, the Commons leader, broke the good news to MPs yesterday, also outlining even more time away from Westminster for them over the coming year. MPs will spend one in three weeks out of Westminster - taking their time away from the Commons from 15 weeks to 18 weeks.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "If MPs spent longer in the House there'd be less badly drafted legislation."

The row over holidays came as Richard Bacon, the Tory MP for South Norfolk, called for the Commons shooting range to be replaced with a swimming pool.

Mr Bacon said there were "far too many" overweight MPs in Westminster - including himself - and suggested the range should make way for a pool in the battle against Westminster obesity. Commons authorities are considering a new swimming pool for MPs and their staff, and the glassing over of one of the open courtyards in the Palace to create a new atrium-style meeting place.