HL Deb 20 March 1985 vol 461 c550

3.3 p.m.

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I should like to say a brief word about the length of speeches in this afternoon's debate standing in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Wigoder, to which your Lordships have agreed to apply a five-hour time limit. On the principle that the mover is allowed approximately 20 minutes and that the Minister should rise to reply not less than 25 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate, I should be grateful if other speakers in the debate would limit their speeches to a maximum of 15 minutes. If any noble Lord speaks at greater length, he will do so at the expense of later speakers in the debate.