Commons rises for Christmas recess 2012
20 December 2012 (updated on 21 December 2012)
The House of Commons adjourned on Thursday 20 December 2012 for the Christmas recess
The House will return on Monday 7 January 2013.
The House of Lords has also risen for the Christmas recess and will return on Tuesday 8 January 2013.
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.