UK House of Commons

Rule History

Date Change Text
25 June 1852 Made

28   Public Business

That The House do meet every Wednesday, at Twelve o'clock at noon, for Private Business, Petitions, Orders of the Day, and Notices of Motions, and do continue to sit until Six o'clock, unless previously adjourned.

08 April 1902 Amended

2   Friday Sittings / House to meet on Friday, at Twelve o'Clock

That The House do meet every Friday, at Twelve o'clock at noon, for Private Business, Petitions, Orders of the Day, and Notices of Motions, and do continue to sit until Six o'clock, unless previously adjourned.

01 December 1902 Amended

2   Sittings of the House / Duration of Friday sittings

The house shall meet every Friday, at twelve o'clock at noon, for private business, petitions, orders of the day, and notices of motions, and shall continue to sit until six o'clock, unless previously adjourned.

03 April 1906 Amended

2   Sittings of the House / Duration of Friday sittings

The house shall meet every Friday, at twelve o'clock at noon, for private business, petitions, orders of the day, and notices of motions, and shall continue to sit until half-past five o'clock, unless previously adjourned.

21 December 1927 Amended

2   Sittings of the House / Duration of Friday Sittings

The house shall meet every Friday, at eleven o'clock for private business, petitions, orders of the day, and notices of motions, and shall continue to sit until half-past four o'clock, unless previously adjourned.

14 November 1933 Amended

2   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet every Friday, at eleven of the clock for private business, petitions, orders of the day, and notices of motions. Standing order No. 1 (3) (4) and (7) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the substitution of four of the clock for eleven of the clock; and the House shall continue to sit until half-past four of the clock, unless previously adjourned. After the business under consideration at four has been disposed of, no opposed business shall be taken. At the conclusion of business, or at half-past four of the clock precisely, notwithstanding there may be business under discussion, Mr. Speaker shall adjourn the House without putting any question.

04 November 1947 Amended

2   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at eleven of the clock for private business, petitions, orders of the day and notices of motions. Standing Order No. 1 shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) thereof and with the substitution of references to four of the clock for references to ten of the clock.

28 July 1948 Amended

2   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at eleven of the clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns and leave of absence to members. Standing order no. 1 (Sittings of the House) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) thereof and with the substitution of references to four of the clock for references to ten of the clock.

06 December 1951 Amended

2   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at eleven of the clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns and leave of absence to Members. Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) thereof and with the substitution of references to four of the clock for references to ten of the clock.

25 October 1960 Amended

2   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at eleven of the clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns and leave of absence to Members. Standing Orders No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and No. 1A (Exemptions from Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House)) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to four of the clock for references to ten of the clock.

01 August 1963 Amended

3   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at eleven of the clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns and leave of absence to Members.

Standing Orders No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and No. 2 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to four of the clock and a quarter to five of the clock for references to ten of the clock and a quarter to eleven of the clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 100 (Statutory instruments &c. (procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to half-past five of the clock for references to half-past eleven of the clock.

08 March 1971 Amended

5   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at eleven o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and No. 3 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to four o'clock, a quarter to five o'clock and half-past five o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 4 (Statutory instruments &c. (procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to half-past five o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

25 June 1979 Amended

5   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at eleven o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and No. 3 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to four o'clock, a quarter to five o'clock and half-past five o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 4 (Prayers against statutory instruments, &c. (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to half-past five o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

17 January 1980 Amended

5   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and No. 3 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to half past two o'clock, a quarter past three o'clock and four o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 4 (Prayers against statutory instruments, &c. (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock Mr. Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in Committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when Mr. Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the Chairman shall leave the Chair without putting any question, and report that the Committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

30 March 1983 Amended

5   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and No. 3 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to half-past two o'clock, a quarter past three o'clock and four o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 4 (Prayers against statutory instruments, &c. (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock Mr. Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in Committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when Mr. Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the Chairman shall leave the Chair without putting any question, and report that the Committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

12 November 1986 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 14 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to half-past two o'clock, a quarter past three o'clock and four o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 15 (Prayers against statutory instruments, &c. (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock Mr. Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in Committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when Mr. Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the Chairman shall leave the Chair without putting any question, and report that the Committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

08 November 1991 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 14 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to half-past two o'clock, a quarter past three o'clock and four o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 15 (Prayers against statutory instruments, &c. (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock Mr. Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in Committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when Mr. Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the Chairman shall leave the Chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

24 November 1994 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 14 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to half-past two o'clock, a quarter past three o'clock and four o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 15 (Prayers against statutory instruments, &c. (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in her opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the chairman shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

02 November 1995 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 14 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and with the substitution of references to half-past two o'clock, a quarter past three o'clock and four o'clock for references to ten o'clock, a quarter to eleven o'clock and half-past eleven o'clock respectively.

In the application of Standing Order No. 15 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in her opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the chairman shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

20 March 1997 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with-

(a) the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9; and

(b) the substitution of references to half-past two o'clock for references to ten o'clock in relation to the interruption of business; and

(c) the substitution of reference to half-past three o'clock for reference to eleven o'clock in relation to proceedings on nomination of members of departmental select committees.

In the application of Standing Order No. 17 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in her opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the chairman shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

22 March 2001 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with-

(a) the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9; and

(b) the substitution of references to half-past two o'clock for references to ten o'clock in relation to the interruption of business; and

(c) the substitution of reference to half-past three o'clock for reference to eleven o'clock in relation to proceedings on nomination of members of departmental select committees.

In the application of Standing Order No. 17 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the chairman shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

29 October 2002 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

The House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with-

(a) the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9; and

(b) the insertion of references to half-past two o'clock as the moment of interruption; and

(c) the substitution of reference to half-past three o'clock for reference to eleven o'clock in relation to proceedings on nomination of members of departmental select committees.

In the application of Standing Order No. 17 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the chairman shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

26 January 2005 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

Subject to Standing Order No. 12 (House not to sit on certain Fridays), the House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with-

(a) the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9; and

(b) the insertion of references to half-past two o'clock as the moment of interruption; and

(c) the substitution of reference to half-past three o'clock for reference to eleven o'clock in relation to proceedings on nomination of members of departmental select committees.

In the application of Standing Order No. 17 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the chairman shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

04 March 2010 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

Subject to Standing Order No. 12 (House not to sit on certain Fridays), the House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business, petitions, and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with-

(a) the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9; and

(b) the insertion of references to half-past two o'clock as the moment of interruption; and

(c) the substitution of reference to half-past three o'clock for reference to eleven o'clock in relation to proceedings on nomination of members of departmental select committees.

In the application of Standing Order No. 17 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the occupant of the chair shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.

05 November 2019 Amended

11   Sittings of the House / Friday sittings

Subject to Standing Order No. 12 (House not to sit on certain Fridays), the House shall meet on Fridays at half-past nine o'clock, and will first proceed with private business and motions for unopposed returns.

Standing Orders No. 9 (Sittings of the House) and No. 15 (Exempted business) shall apply to the sittings on Fridays with-

(a) the omission of paragraph (1) of Standing Order No. 9; and

(b) the insertion of references to half-past two o'clock as the moment of interruption; and

(c) the substitution of reference to half-past three o'clock for reference to eleven o'clock in relation to proceedings on nomination of members of departmental select committees.

In the application of Standing Order No. 17 (Delegated legislation (negative procedure)) to the sittings on Fridays there shall be substituted references to four o'clock for references to half-past eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings in order to permit questions to be asked which are in his opinion of an urgent character and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business, statements to be made by Ministers, or personal explanations to be made by Members.

If the House is in committee at eleven o'clock, on an occasion when the Speaker's intention to permit such questions, statements or explanations has been made known, the occupant of the chair shall leave the chair without putting any question, and report that the committee have made progress and ask leave to sit again.

The House, when it meets on Friday, shall, at its rising, stand adjourned until the following Monday without any question being put.