§ 2.59 p.m.
Viscount LongMy 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 Lord, Lord Taylor of Gryfe, and the noble Lord, Lord Beswick.
It is customary in short debates that the mover is allowed approximately 15 minutes and that the Minister should rise to reply not later 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 Taylor of Gryfe, this means that all other speeches should be limited to a maximum of 12 minutes. If any noble Lord should speak at greater length it will be to the disadvantage of the subsequent speakers in the debate. In the case of the short debate in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Beswick, the number of speakers is such that it is not necessary to suggest a formal limit on the length of speeches, but noble Lords may feel that it would be in accordance with the spirit of the short debates if they were to try to keep within the 15-minute limit allocated to the mover of the Motion.