§ 3.12 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, it may be for the convenience of your Lordships if at this point I say a word about the arrangements for this afternoon's short debates standing in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Henderson of Brompton, and the noble Lord, Lord Hunter of Newington. It is customary in short debates that the mover is allowed approximately 15 minutes and that the Minister should rise to reply not less than 20 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate.
In the case of the short debate in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Henderson of Brompton, this means that all other speeches should be limited to a maximum of eight minutes. If any noble Lord were to speak at greater length, it would be at the expense of subsequent speakers in the debate. In the case of the short debate in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Hunter of Newington, the number of noble Lords wishing to speak is such that it is not necessary to suggest any formal time limit, but I know that the House would appreciate it if noble Lords would exercise voluntarily a restraint consistent with the spirit of these short debates.