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The new Parliament elected on May 6 will meet for the first time on May 18, it has been confirmed.
Today prime minister Gordon Brown went to see the Queen and requested dissolution of parliament.
Legislation will be rushed through in the next few days in what is known as the "wash up" period before Parliament is dissolved on April 12.
A Downing Street spokesman said:
"The date of Parliament's return reflects the wishes of the Speaker and the new arrangements proposed by the cross-party House of Commons modernisation committee in the June 2007 report 'Revitalising the Chamber'.
"The government accepted this recommendation."
Parliamentary candidates and their staff are barred from the Palace of Westminster during the campaign.
Once Parliament is dissolved MPs revert to being members of the public and lose all privileges.
Ministers remain in post during the election campaign, but there will be no policy announcements and the civil service enters into a period of 'purdah'.
The new Parliament will gather on May 18, when the election of the Speaker will take place, along with the swearing-in of Members of Parliament.
There will be a record number of new MPs, whatever the outcome of the election.
So far 146 MPs have announced their retirement, among them 95 from Labour, 35 Conservatives and seven Liberal Democrats.
There could be as many as 250 new MPs after the election.
The first Queen's Speech of the new Parliament will take place the following week and it is expected that this will occur on Wednesday May 26.
The Conservatives have pledged to hold an emergency Budget within 50 days if they win the election.
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