HL Deb 28 February 1990 vol 516 cc739-40
Lord Denham

My Lords, I should like to say a word about this afternoon's short debates standing in the names of the noble Lord, Lord Annan, and the noble Lord, Lord Birkett. As the mover is allowed 15 minutes and the Minister should rise to reply not less than 20 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate, in the case of the debate of the noble Lord, Lord Annan, all other speeches should be limited to a maximum of 12 minutes. In that of the noble Lord, Lord Birkett, the number of speakers is such that it is not necessary to propose any formal time limit. But I know that your Lordships will be confident that noble Lords will keep their speeches within limits compatible with the spirit of these short debates.