Hoon: Under fire over extended recess

The new leader of the House has announced that MPs are due for an 11-and-a-half week summer 'holiday' this year.

Geoff Hoon told the Commons that Parliament will be adjourned on July 21 - one week earlier than expected - and not return until October 10.

Making his debut at the despatch box in the role, Hoon announced the 80-day break in a revised version of the parliamentary calendar.

It had been expected that there would be no September sitting this year, as there has been in the past two years, due to the construction of a permanent security screen in the Commons chamber. However, the extra week being added onto the recess is bound to attract criticism of "work-shy MPs".

Former minister Chris Mullin said: "Nothing brings us so much into discredit with our constituents than the idea – which is false in many cases I know – that we take two and a half months off in the summer."

However Hoon, who acknowledged the "concern", said no decision has yet been taken on whether the September sitting would be restored in 2006.

The two-week session was introduced by former Commons leader Robin Cook in order to split the recess into the summer break and the autumn party conference season.

While MPs are often busy with constituency business when Parliament is not sitting, the appearance of them being away from Westminster has often led to criticism.

Referendum bill

Hoon also announced that a bill on the European Union constitution referendum will be published next week.

The controversial legislation will be introduced in the House next Tuesday, he confirmed.

"I hope that will be of assistance to Members in indicating the government's determination that there should be a referendum," he said in reference to doubts that the poll will be held if forthcoming French or Dutch referendums vote 'no'.

The bill will pave the way for the vote to be held next year and define the question that the public will be asked in law.