The House of Commons adopted a new pattern of sitting hours in 2003, and these arrangements will expire at the end of the 2004-05 Parliamentary session. Drawing on a survey of MPs undertaken in early 2004, the Committees report recommends that these sitting hours should be retained in their current form, except for Thursday where it is recommended the sitting is lengthened by one hour to allow sufficient length to take substantial business such as major second readings and Opposition days. The report also recommends changes in timetable schedules to increase the amount of time available for Standing Committee business.

The Committees report sets out the results of a survey of MPs attitudes towards the new sitting hours in the House of Commons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, compared to the old regime. The report makes a number of recommendations which it is hoped will be taken into account by a review to be undertaken by the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons.