§ 3.4 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy 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 Bruce of Donington, to which your Lordships have agreed to give a five-hour time limit. On the principle that the mover is allowed 20 minutes and that the Minister should rise to reply not less than 25 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate, all other speeches should be subject to a strict upper limit of 17 minutes. If any noble Lord should speak at greater length he would do so at the expense of subsequent speakers in the debate.