§ 2.55 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, it may be for the convenience of your Lordships if I say a word at this point about the arrangements for this afternoon's short debates standing in the names of the noble Baroness, Lady Lockwood, and the noble Lord, Lord John-Mackie. It is customary in 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 both of this afternoon's short debates that means that all other speakers should be subject to a maximum of 10 minutes. If any noble Lord were to speak at greater length, it would be at the expense of subsequent speakers in that debate.