Lights out at Westminster?

MPs are taking a half-term break despite the backlog of legislation left to be passed before the general election.

With MPs away on the half-term recess and none of Britain's parliaments or assemblies sitting on Wednesday, constituencies have been full of MPs and candidates campaigning for the forthcoming general election.

But a raft of bills remain uncompleted and set to fall when parliament is prorogued in the next few weeks, with questions set to be asked over whether the week could have been better used conducting legislative business.

Key government bills on identity cards, gambling, the railways and education are all still outstanding, as are MPs' own private members bills such as Patrick Mercer's household protection legislation.

The House of Commons sits for 36 weeks out of 52 in the year, with each costing the taxpayer over £7 million.

Modernising MPs say the half-term weeks are essential if parliament is to remain a family friendly institution.

Under new rules MPs get greater notice about when recesses will take place.

The 16 weeks of recess come to a combined £113 million out of the total annual cost of £367 million of running the Commons and Lords.

Of this, Commons Information Office figures reveal that £143 million is spent on MPs' salaries and allowances and £147 million on Commons administration.

In contrast the House of Lords costs just £76 million per year.