Silencing Big Ben's bongs for four years is "mad", David Davis has said as he dismissed health and safety concerns linked to the clock tower's renovation.
The Brexit Secretary urged parliamentary officials to "just get on with it", adding his approach in business was "just do it, don't faff".
The deafening chimes are being stopped to protect workers who are renovating the Elizabeth Tower that houses the Great Clock and its bell.
But Mr Davis questioned the decision, which was also labelled "entirely bonkers" by Conservative MP James Gray who sat on the administration committee which first approved the work.
It will be the longest period Big Ben has been silenced in its 157-year history and will begin after noon on Monday August 21.
The bell will still ring out for important national events such as New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday.
The £29 million renovation includes the installation of a lift and repairs to the clock's hands, mechanism and pendulum.
The 13.7-tonne Great Bell was last stopped for maintenance in 2007 and before that was halted for two years in 1983 for refurbishment, but has been stopped on a number of other occasions since it first sounded in 1859.
Mr Davis told LBC radio: "I think it's mad, I'd forgotten of course, I've been out of government for a lot of years, and I've forgotten how long it takes to get the approvals for this and the approvals for that.
"There's a sort of rude phrase which I will shorten to 'just get on with it'.
"When I was in business, it was my standard line, just get on, just do it, don't faff."
He added: "I actually can't understand, I haven't been in the details... I can't understand why.
"There's hardly a health and safety argument, it's replacing a bell.
"I mean maybe it's to do with all the trouble about the £3 billion they want to spend on Parliament, who knows? Also an interesting problem.
"They should get on with it."
Steve Jaggs, keeper of the Great Clock, said: "This essential programme of works will safeguard the clock on a long-term basis, as well as protecting and preserving its home, the Elizabeth Tower.
"Members of the public are welcome to mark this important moment by gathering in Parliament Square to hear Big Ben's final bongs until they return in 2021."