§ 3.8 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, I should like to say a word about the arrangements for the two short debates standing in the names of my noble friends Lord Kinnoull and the noble Earl, Lord Longford. 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 my noble friend, the number of speakers is such that it is not necessary to propose a formal time limit. But I am sure that the House will agree that it would conform with the spirit of these short debates if they would keep their 658 speeches within limits compatible with the spirit of short debates. In the case of the debate of the noble Earl, Lord Longford, it means that all other speeches should be limited to a maximum of eight minutes. If any noble Lord were to speak at greater length he would do so at the expense of subsequent speakers in the debate.