Sir George Young

“twice-yearly grillings of prime ministers by a committee of senior MPs had 'failed to spark' and received little coverage.”

“The committee questions the prime minister for two and a half hours on a wide variety of topics twice a year.”

“One-hundred-and-fifty minutes with the prime minister, cross‑questioned by Parliament's most effective examiners, ought to be one of the most important events in the political calendar.”

“Fifteen annual 'set piece' debates on issues like defence or International Women's Day could also be looked at to see if something 'could be developed in their place that would set the pulse racing a…”

“the public did 'not understand why we take 82-day summer holidays'.”

“the last time the House considered MPs' sitting hours, a lively debate ensued for about three years.”

“The committee questions the prime minister for two and a half hours on a wide variety of topics twice a year - but Sir George said it had "so far failed to spark".”

“He said one session received "next to no coverage at all in the newspapers with only a brief mention on the BBC's Yesterday in Parliament".”

“Fifteen annual "set piece" debates on issues like defence or International Women's Day could also be looked at to see if something "could be developed in their place that would set the pulse racing a…”

“Sir George said the Commons' procedure committee might want to revisit MPs' sitting hours and recess dates, adding that the public did "not understand why we take 82-day summer holidays"”