Speaker contender calls for reform of MPs' two-day week
MPs are not doing the job for which they are paid with the parliamentary week "shoe-horned" into two days, says a frontrunner to be Speaker.
Tory grandee Sir George Young criticised the running of the Commons, saying MPs make "ineffective use" of their time.
He suggested that Prime Minister's Questions should be moved from Wednesday to Thursday as part of reforms to restore the reputation of Parliament.
Critics have accused some MPs, who are paid £64,700-a-year, of working little more than a two-day week in Parliament, arriving late on Monday and leaving early on Thursday for their constituencies.
Dozens also have lucrative second jobs.
Many backbenchers are furious at claims they spend little time at Westminster and do hardly any work during the 12-week summer break, insisting they are busy in their constituencies.
Sir George, though, made clear he believes the parliamentary timetable needs a radical shake-up: "The parliamentary week is shoe-horned into Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when too many meetings are scheduled.
"We should move Prime Minister's Questions from Wednesday to Thursday to bring Thursdays more into play."
Outlining his vision as Speaker, the MP for North West Hampshire, told The Times: "Our procedures are antiquated, our language arcane and the Chamber has joined those of most other democracies as no longer being the cockpit of the nation.
"We make ineffective use of MPs' time and don't do what we are paid to do.
"Our output simply does not match our input; many MPs get home exhausted, wondering if their day was well spent."
Calling for a reform agenda for the Commons, Sir George proposed greater independence for Parliament including:
A new business committee of MPs to set the Commons agenda rather than "dancing to the Government's tune".
More scrutiny of legislation.
More focus on select committees rather than the Chamber.
Better access to Parliament for the public.
The new Speaker being an ambassador for the House.
Clearer rules on how to get rid of a Speaker.
Sir George, chairman of the Commons standards and privileges committee, also called for "justice" and a "fair and rational process" for disciplining MPs who abused expenses, stressing that punishment must reflect the severity of the offence.
Many MPs have been shocked at Labour's move to ban Norwich North MP Ian Gibson from standing at the next election. He is quitting to force a by-election.
It came after revelations he claimed almost £80,000 in second home expenses on a London flat he later sold at a knock-down price to his daughter.
He has insisted the claims were legitimate, as he was staying at the address three nights a week.
Other candidates to be the next Speaker include Tory John Bercow, supported by many Labour MPs, and Labour MP Frank Field.
