House of Commons rises for Christmas recess
21 December 2011 (updated on 21 December 2011)
The House of Commons adjourned on Tuesday 20 December for the Christmas recess. The Commons will return on Tuesday 10 January 2012
Christmas adjournment debate
The Backbench Business Committee scheduled a general debate where MPs could raise issues relating to Government policy before the adjournment of the House of Commons for the Christmas recess. The debate was divided into five parts.
- Issues relating to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills
- Issues relating to the Department for Communities and Local Government
- Issues relating to the Department of Energy and Climate Change
- Issues relating to the Department of Health
- General debate
For the first four parts, a Minister from the department responded and in the final part, the Deputy Leader of the House, David Heath, replied. Watch and read the debate on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard.
Recess
Parliament does not sit all year round. During periods called recesses, MPs and Members of the House of Lords can carry out their other duties. The exact pattern of recesses can change and is usually slightly different for the two Houses of Parliament.