§ 2.54 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, after the end of the short debate on the accountability of the security services and before the short debate on Cyprus, my noble friend Lord Belstead will, with the leave of the House, repeat a Statement that is to be made in another place on the Agriculture Council. It has been agreed through the usual channels that the Statement which is to be made in another place on the Foreign Affairs Council 15th/16th December should, by leave of the House, be printed in the Official Report.
I should like to say a word about the arrangements for this afternoon's two short debates standing in the names of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney, and the noble Lord, Lord Willis. It is customary in short debates that the mover is allowed approximately 15 minutes, and that the Minister should rise to reply not less than 20 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate. In the case of the short debate in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney, it means that all other speeches should be limited to a maximum of nine minutes. If any noble Lord should speak at greater length, it will be to the disadvantage of subsequent speakers in the debate.
In the case of the short debate in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Willis, the number of speakers is such that it is not necessary to propose any formal time limit, but I know that the House would appreciate it if noble Lords would still limit their speeches to a length in keeping with the spirit of these short debates.