§ 3.2 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, at a convenient moment after 3.30 this afternoon my noble friend Lady Young will, with the leave of the House, repeat a Statement on Gibraltar that is to be made in another place.
This will be followed by my noble friend Lord Lucas of Chilworth, who, again with the leave of the House, will repeat a Statement on regional industrial policy.
It may be for the convenience of your Lordships if I say a word at this point about this afternoon's short debates standing in the names of my noble friend Lord Balfour of Inchrye and the noble Lord, Lord Annan. It is customary in short debates that the mover is allowed approximately 15 minutes and that the Minister should rise to reply not more than 20 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate. In the case of the short debate in the name of my noble friend Lord Balfour of Inchrye it is not necessary to suggest a limit on the length of subsequent speeches because the small number of speakers would put such a limit in excess of 15 minutes. I know that the House will appreciate it if the normal conventions of brevity in such debates are observed.
In the case of the debate in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Annan, subsequent speeches should be 902 limited to a maximum of nine minutes. If any noble Lord were to speak at greater length he would do so at the expense of subsequent speakers in that debate.