§ 3.8 p.m.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, 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 Dean of Beswick, and the noble Lord, Lord Carter. On the principle 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 Dean of Beswick, the number of speakers is such that it is not necessary to propose a formal time limit, but I am sure that noble Lords will agree that it would conform with the spirit of these short debates if they would keep their speeches within the 15 minutes which apply to the mover of the Motion. In the case of the short debate in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Carter, it means that all other speeches should be limited to a maximum of 5 minutes. If any noble Lord should speak at greater length he would do so at the expense of subsequent speakers in the debate.