Recess dates 2009-10
State Opening: 18 November 2009
Prorogation: 8 April 2010
Total number of sitting days: 60
|
Recess |
House rises |
House returns |
|
Christmas |
16 December 2009 |
5 January 2010 |
|
Half term |
10 February 2010 |
22 February 2010 |
|
Easter |
30 March 2010 |
6 April 2010 |
Recess dates 2008-09
State Opening: 3 December 2008
Prorogation: 12 November 2009
Total number of sitting days: 139
|
Recess |
House rises |
House returns |
|
Christmas |
18 December 2008 |
12 January 2009 |
|
Half Term |
12 February 2009 |
23 February 2009 |
|
Easter |
2 April 2009 |
20 April 2009 |
|
Whitsun |
21 May 2009 |
1 June 2009 |
|
Summer |
21 July 2009 |
12 October 2009 |
Recess dates 2007-08
State Opening: 6 November 2007
Prorogation: 26 November 2008
Total number of sitting days: 165
|
Recess |
House rises |
House returns |
|
Christmas |
18 December 2007 |
7 January 2008 |
|
Half Term |
7 February 2008 |
18 February 2008 |
|
Easter |
3 April 2008 |
21 April 2008 |
|
Whitsun |
22 May 2008 |
2 June 2008 |
|
Summer |
22 July 2008 |
6 October 2008 |
Recess dates 2006-07
State Opening: 15 November 2006
Prorogation: 30 October 2007
Total number of sitting days: 146
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
19 Dec 2006 |
8 Jan 2007 |
|
Half Term Week |
8 Feb 2007 |
19 Feb 2007 |
|
Easter |
29 Mar 2007 |
16 Apr 2007 |
|
Whitsun |
24 May 2007 |
4 Jun 2007 |
|
Summer |
26 Jul 2007 |
8 Oct 2007 |
Recess dates 2005-06
State Opening: 17 May 2005
Prorogation: 8 November 2006
Total number of sitting days: 208
| Recess |
House will rise |
House returns |
|
Whitsun |
26 May 2005 |
6 Jun 2005 |
|
Summer |
21 July 2005 |
10 Oct 2005 |
|
Christmas |
20 Dec 2005 |
9 Jan 2006 |
|
Half Term Week |
16 Feb 2006 |
27 Feb 2006 |
|
Easter |
30 Mar 2006 |
18 Apr 2006 |
|
Whitsun |
25 May 2006 |
5 Jun 2006 |
|
Summer |
25 Jul 2006 |
9 Oct 2006 |
Recess dates 2004-05
State Opening: 23 November 2004
Dissolution: 7 April 2005
Total number of sitting days: 65
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
21 Dec 2004 |
10 Jan 2005 |
|
Half Term Week |
10 Feb 2005 |
21 Feb 2005 |
|
Easter |
24 Mar 2005 |
4 Apr 2005 |
Date of General Election: 5 May 2005
Recess dates 2003-04
State Opening: 26 November 2003
Prorogation: 18 November 2004
Total number of sitting days: 157
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
18 Dec 2003 |
5 Jan 2004 |
|
Half Term Week |
12 Feb 2004 |
23 Feb 2004 |
|
Easter |
1 Apr 2004 |
19 Apr 2004 |
|
Whitsun |
27 May 2004 |
7 Jun 2004 |
|
Summer |
22 Jul 2004 |
7 Sep 2004 |
|
Conference |
16 Sep 2004 |
11 Oct 2004 |
Recess dates 2002-03
State Opening: 13 November 2002
Prorogation: 20 November 2003
Total number of sitting days: 162
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
| Christmas |
19 Dec 2002 |
7 Jan 2003 |
|
Half Term Week |
13 Feb 2003 |
24 Feb 2003 |
| Easter (and constituency week) |
14 Apr 2003 |
28 Apr 2003 |
| Whitsun |
22 May 2003 |
3 Jun 2003 |
|
Summer |
17 Jul 2003 |
8 Sep 2003 |
| Conference break |
18 Sep 2003 |
14 Oct 2003 |
Recess dates 2001-02
State Opening: 20 June 2001
Prorogation: 7 Nov 2002
Total number of sitting days: 201
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Summer |
20 Jul 2001 |
15 Oct 2001 |
|
Christmas |
19 Dec 2001 |
8 Jan 2002 |
|
Constituency week |
15 Feb 2002 |
25 Feb 2002 |
|
Easter |
26 Mar 2002 |
10 Apr 2002 |
|
May day |
2 May 2002 |
7 May 2002 |
|
Whitsun |
24 May 2002 |
10 Jun 2002 |
|
Summer |
24 Jul 2002 |
15 Oct 2002 |
Recess dates 2000-01
State Opening: 6 December 2000
Dissolution: 3 May 2001
Total number of sitting days: 83
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
21 Dec 2000 |
8 Jan 2001 |
|
Constituency days |
16 Feb 2001 |
26 Feb 2001 |
|
Easter |
10 Apr 2001 |
23 Apr 2001 |
Date of General Election: 7 June 2001
Recess dates 1999-2000
State Opening: 24 November 1999
Prorogation: 30 November 2000
Total number of sitting days: 171
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
21 Dec 1999 |
10 Jan 2000 |
|
Constituency days |
22 Feb 2000 |
28 Feb 2000 |
|
Easter |
20 Apr 2000 |
2 May 2000 |
|
Whitsun |
25 May 2000 |
5 Jun 2000 |
|
Summer |
28 Jul 2000 |
23 Oct 2000 |
Recess dates 1998-99
State Opening: 24 November 1998
Prorogation: 11 November 1999
Total number of sitting days: 149
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
17 Dec 1998 |
11 Jan 1999 |
|
Constituency days |
16 Feb 1999 |
22 Feb 1999 |
|
Easter |
31 Mar 1999 |
13 Apr 1999 |
|
May day |
30 Apr 1999 |
04 May 1999 |
|
Whitsun |
26 May 1999 |
8 Jun 1999 |
|
Summer |
27 Jul 1999 |
19 Oct 1999 |
Recess dates 1997-98
State Opening:14 May 1997
Prorogation: 19 November 1998
Total number of sitting days: 241
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
22 May 1997 |
2 Jun 1997 |
|
Summer |
31 Jul 1997 |
27 Oct 1997 |
|
Christmas |
22 Dec 1997 |
12 Jan 1998 |
|
Easter |
8 Apr 1998 |
20 Apr 1998 |
|
May day |
1 May 1998 |
5 May 1998 |
|
Whitsun |
21 May 1998 |
1 Jun 1998 |
|
Summer |
31 Jul 1998 |
19 Oct 1998 |
Recess dates 1996-97
State Opening: 23 October 1996
Prorogation: 21 March 1997
Dissolution: April 1997
Total number of sitting days: 86
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
19 Dec 1996 |
13 Jan 1997 |
Date of General Election: 1 May 1997
Recess dates 1995-96
State Opening: 15 November 1995
Prorogation: 17 October 1996
Total number of sitting days: 146
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
20 Dec 1995 |
9 Jan 1996 |
|
Easter |
3 Apr 1996 |
16 Apr 1996 |
|
May day |
3 May 1996 |
7 May 1996 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
22 May 1996 |
4 Jun 1996 |
|
Summer |
24 Jul 1996 |
14 Oct 1996 |
Recess dates 1994-95
State Opening: 16 November 1994
Prorogation: 8 November 1995
Total number of sitting days: 159
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
20 Dec 1994 |
10 Jan 1995 |
|
Easter |
5 Apr 1995 |
18 Apr 1995 |
|
May day |
5 May 1995 |
9 May 1995 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday* |
25 May 1995 |
6 Jun 1995 |
|
Summer |
19 Jul 1995 |
16 Oct 1995 |
*Emergency recall: 31 May 1995
Recess dates 1993-94
State Opening: 18 November 1993
Prorogation: 3 November 1994
Total number of sitting days: 154
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
17 Dec 1993 |
11 Jan 1994 |
|
Easter |
31 Mar 1994 |
12 Apr 1994 |
|
May day |
29 Apr 1994 |
3 May 1994 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
26 May 1994 |
13 Jun 1994 |
|
Summer |
21 Jul 1994 |
17 Oct 1994 |
Recess dates 1992-93
State Opening: 6 May 1992
Prorogation: 5 November 1993
Total number of sitting days: 240
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
22 May 1992 |
2 Jun 1992 |
|
Summer |
16 Jul 1992 |
19 Oct 1992 |
|
Christmas |
17 Dec 1992 |
11 Jan 1993 |
|
Easter |
2 Apr 1993 |
14 Apr 1993 |
|
May day |
30 Apr 1993 |
4 May 1993 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
27 May 1993 |
7 Jun 1993 |
|
Summer |
27 Jul 1993 |
18 Oct 1993 |
Recess dates 1991-92
State Opening: 31 October 1991
Dissolution: 16 March 1992
Total number of sitting days: 83
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
20 Dec 1991 |
13 Jan 1992 |
Date of General Election: 9 April 1992
Recess dates 1990-91
State Opening: 7 November 1990
Prorogation: 22 October 1991
Total number of sitting days: 160
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
20 Dec 1990 |
14 Jan 1991 |
|
Easter |
28 Mar 1991 |
15 Apr 1991 |
|
May day |
3 May 1991 |
7 May 1991 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
23 May 1991 |
3 Jun 1991 |
|
Summer |
25 Jul 1991 |
14 Oct 1991 |
Recess dates 1989-90
State Opening: 21 November 1989
Prorogation: 1 November 1990
Total number of sitting days: 167
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
21 Dec 1989 |
8 Jan 1990 |
|
Easter |
5 Apr 1990 |
18 Apr 1990 |
|
May day |
4 May 1990 |
8 May 1990 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
24 May 1990 |
5 Jun 1990 |
|
Summer |
26 Jul 1990 |
15 Oct 1990 |
Recess dates 1988-89
State Opening: 22 November 1988
Prorogation: 16 November 1989
Total number of sitting days: 176
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
22 Dec 1988 |
10 Jan 1989 |
|
Easter |
23 Mar 1989 |
4 Apr 1989 |
|
May day |
28 Apr 1989 |
2 May 1989 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
26 May 1989 |
6 Jun 1989 |
|
Summer |
28 Jul 1989 |
17 Oct 1989 |
Recess dates 1987-88
State Opening: 25 June 1987
Prorogation: 15 November 1988
Total number of sitting days: 218
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Summer |
24 Jul 1987 |
21 Oct 1987 |
|
Christmas |
18 Dec 1987 |
11 Jan 1988 |
|
Easter |
31 Mar 1988 |
12 Apr 1988 |
|
May day |
29 Apr 1988 |
3 May 1988 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
27 May 1988 |
7 Jun 1988 |
|
Summer |
29 Jul 1988 |
19 Oct 1988 |
Recess dates 1986-87
State Opening: 12 November 1986
Dissolution: 15 May 1987
Total number of sitting days: 109
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
19 Dec 1986 |
12 Jan 1987 |
|
Easter |
10 Apr 1987 |
22 Apr 1987 |
|
May day |
1 May 1987 |
5 May 1987 |
Date of General Election: 11 June 1987
Recess dates 1985-86
State Opening: 6 November 1985
Prorogation: 7 November 1986
Total number of sitting days: 172
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
20 Dec 1985 |
13 Jan 1986 |
|
Easter |
27 Mar 1986 |
8 Apr 1986 |
|
May day |
2 May 1986 |
6 May 1986 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
23 May 1986 |
3 Jun 1986 |
|
Summer |
25 Jul 1986 |
21 Oct 1986 |
Recess dates 1984-85
State Opening: 6 November 1984
Prorogation: 30 October 1985
Total number of sitting days: 172
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
21 Dec 1984 |
9 Jan 1985 |
|
Easter |
4 Apr 1985 |
15 Apr 1985 |
|
May day |
3 May 1985 |
7 May 1985 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
24 May 1985 |
3 Jun 1985 |
|
Summer |
26 Jul 1985 |
21 Oct 1985 |
Recess dates 1983-84
State Opening: 22 June 1983
Prorogation: 31 October 1984
Total number of sitting days: 213
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Summer |
29 Jul 1983 |
24 Oct 1983 |
|
Christmas |
22 Dec 1983 |
16 Jan 1984 |
|
Easter |
13 Apr 1984 |
25 Apr 1984 |
|
May day |
4 May 1984 |
8 May 1984 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
25 May 1984 |
4 Jun 1984 |
|
Summer |
1 Aug 1984 |
22 Oct 1984 |
Recess dates 1982-83
State Opening: 3 November 1982
Dissolution: 13 May 1983
Total number of sitting days: 115
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
23 Dec 1982 |
17 Jan 1983 |
|
Easter |
31 Mar 1983 |
11 Apr 1983 |
|
May day |
29 Apr 1983 |
3 May 1983 |
Date of General Election: 9 June 1983
Recess dates 1981-82
State Opening: 4 November 1981
Prorogation: 28 October 1982
Total number of sitting days: 174
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
23 Dec 1981 |
18 Jan 1982 |
|
Easter* |
8 Apr 1982 |
19 Apr 1982 |
|
May day |
30 Apr 1982 |
7 May 1982 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
28 May 1982 |
8 Jun 1982 |
|
Summer |
30 Jul 1982 |
18 Oct 1982 |
*Emergency recall: 14 April 1982
Recess dates 1980-81
State Opening: 20 November 1980
Prorogation: 30 October 1981
Total number of sitting days: 163
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Christmas |
19 Dec 1980 |
12 Jan 1981 |
|
Easter |
16 Apr 1981 |
27 Apr 1981 |
|
May day |
1 May 1981 |
5 May 1981 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
22 May 1981 |
1 Jun 1981 |
|
Summer (29 July holiday for Royal Wedding) |
31 Jul 1981 |
19 Oct 1981 |
Recess dates 1979-80
Date of General Election: 3 May 1979
State Opening: 15 May 1979
Prorogation: 13 November 1980
Total number of sitting days (including swearing-in): 244
|
Recess |
Rise of the House |
Return of the House |
|
Spring Bank Holiday & European Assembly Elections |
25 May 1979 |
11 Jun 1979 |
|
Summer |
27 Jul 1979 |
22 Oct 1979 |
|
Christmas |
21 Dec 1979 |
14 Jan 1980 |
|
Easter |
3 Apr 1980 |
14 Apr 1980 |
|
May day |
2 May 1980 |
6 May 1980 |
|
Spring Bank Holiday |
23 May 1980 |
2 Jun 1980 |
|
Summer |
8 Aug 1980 |
27 Oct 1980 |
State Opening of Parliament
Further information on this is available on the House of Lords FAQ: State Opening.
Further information on the parliamentary timetable is included in the HCIO Factsheet P4: Sittings of the House (
PDF 158 KB).