MPs criticise Government as Commons finishes four hours early

Ministers came under fire after the House of Commons rose more than four hours early despite Brexit uncertainty.

Business announced by the Government was thin on the ground for Wednesday, meaning the Commons began sitting began at 11.30am and ended at 3.27pm.

The Commons usually runs until 7.30pm on Wednesdays.

Labour’s Diana Johnson said the situation was “bang out of order”, writing on Twitter: “Considering Brexit is just 51 days away this is totally irresponsible!”

SNP chief whip Patrick Gray said: “Seemingly the Tory Government thinks there’s nothing worth debating or discussing.”

Proceedings began with Cabinet Office questions followed by Prime Minister’s Questions.

Ten minutes were then used up by the introduction of a backbench bill, before a debate on two social security motions.

The adjournment debate focused on prostate cancer and started at 2.37pm rather than 7pm, as would normally be the case.

Elsewhere in Parliament, MPs were involved in afternoon debates in Westminster Hall – their second debating chamber – while proceedings in the House of Lords chamber began at 3pm and were predicted to run until 9pm.

The Government last week announced it was cancelling the February recess for MPs, and legislation connected to Brexit still has to be approved.