You have witnessed their slothenly ways? I worked within the House of Parliament during the noughties. In the summer they have what they call recess before parliament is opened again.
A recess is a break during the parliamentary session (year) in which neither the House of Commons or the House of Lords meets to conduct business. There are usually several recesses throughout a session and usually include Christmas, Easter and Summer. Recess is formally known as a periodic adjournment.
It's not a short break, its most of the fucking summer and the palace is pretty much empty of MP's. A long skive is a better word for it.