THE House of Commons is expected to take a week-long recess, amid rising concerns over Covid-19, a case brought by the EU against the UK Government over their Brexit bill, and calls for a return to digital proceedings.
Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs: "Subject to the progress of business, the House will rise at the conclusion of business on Friday, October 23 and return on Monday, November 2."
The announcement came despite the country being in the grips of a second wave of coronavirus, and the EU having announced it has taken "the first step in an infringement procedure" against Boris Johnson's Government over their law-breaking Internal Market Bill.
The SNP's spokesperson on business of the House, Tommy Sheppard, called for a return to virtual participation in Commons debates.
He said: "I wonder if we are devoting enough urgency to looking at how we can revise and improve participation by remote means in our discussions given that large parts of the country are now again in lockdown?"
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon slams Home Office plan to treat migrants like 'cattle'
However, Rees-Mogg rebuffed the suggestion, arguing that digital proceedings did not work well.
He said: "It is worth noting the remote voting system in the other place [House of Lords] fell down yesterday and therefore they are going to have to redo the votes on the business that they were supposed to be doing."
While the house is in recess MPs would be unable to challenge ministers over coronavirus restrictions, the Brexit process - which is entering a key phase as the end of the transition period nears - or other matters of importance should recess go-ahead.
The announcement comes a day after a Tory backbench mutiny forced the Government to pledge to allow more timely scrutiny of restrictions.
Labour's shadow Commons leader, Valerie Vaz, thanked Rees-Mogg for announcing recess.
With party conferences cancelled, the Commons continued sitting throughout September rather than rising for three weeks.
In recent years the House has risen for six days in November, but nothing had previously been announced for this year.
Vaz later pressed the Government over what opportunities there would be for MPs to debate coronavirus measures in future.
She said: "[Health Secretary Matt Hancock] said that he was announcing a new convention, I'm not quite sure what that means because he said 'for significant national measures, we will consult Parliament'.
READ MORE: Brexit: EU launches court action against Boris Johnson's government
"But I thought they had to do that anyway, consult Parliament on anything that's supposed to come into effect. And he said 'wherever possible, we will hold a vote'.
"But there's no guarantee of a vote and [Rees-Mogg] will know that the regulations on self-isolation came into effect seven hours after publication, including the £10,000 fine.
"But the media were briefed eight days before so there was plenty of time for a debate."
Vaz added: "This so-called new convention only deals with national measures, not local measures, which is what right honourable members want to know because they want to know what's going on in their constituencies."
Rees-Mogg replied: "I do note that Labour didn't actually partake in large numbers, I think a very small number of members voted yesterday and it is a bit worrying when we actually have a vote, the Official Opposition sits on its hands.
"And so they call for one thing and then they're absent without leave."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel