§ The Earl of SwintonMy Lords, it may be for the convenience of the House if at this point I say a word about the arrangements for this afternoon's short debates standing in the names of the noble Lords, Lord Molloy and Lord Jenkins of Putney. It is customary in 967 short debates for the mover to be allowed approximately 15 minutes and for the Minister to rise to reply not less than 20 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate.
In the case of the short debate standing in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, the number of speakers makes it unnecessary to propose any formal time limit on intermediate speeches, though I am sure that the House will be grateful if the speakers in that debate observe the normal conventions about brevity.
In the case of the short debate standing in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney, I should be grateful if other speakers would limit their speeches to a maximum—I repeat, a maximum—of 12 minutes. If any noble Lord were to speak at greater length, it would be at the expense of subsequent speakers in this debate.