§ 3.21 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, after the short debate on citizens advice bureaux and before that on pressures on National Health Service staff, my noble friend Lord Trefgarne will, with the leave of the House, repeat a Statement that is to be made in another place on the House of Fraser.
With the leave of the House, I should like to say a word about this afternoon's short debates standing in the names of the noble Baroness, Lady Ewart-Biggs, and the noble Lord, Lord Molloy. As 1176 the mover is allowed 15 minutes and as the Minister should rise to reply not less than 20 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate, in the case of the debate in the name of the noble Baroness, all the other speeches should be limited to a maximum of 14 minutes. In the debate in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, the number of speakers is such that it is not necessary to impose any formal time limit but I know that noble Lords will wish to keep their speeches within limits compatible with the spirit of these short debates.
§ Lord Ponsonby of ShulbredeMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that announcement about speaking times for the two short debates today. However, some noble Lords are in a little confusion concerning the first debate. The footnote to the speakers' list shows that the noble Lord, Lord Trefgarne, in replying to the debate, will be allowed a certain amount of time, whereas on the speakers' list itself the name of the Minister who is to reply to the debate is given as the noble Viscount, Lord Ullswater. I wonder which is correct.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, my noble friend Lord Trefgarne will make the Statement between the two short debates. The noble Lord the Opposition Chief Whip is absolutely right that my noble friend Lord Ullswater will reply to the first of the two short debates.
§ Lord Ponsonby of ShulbredeMy Lords, the speakers' list does not quite say that.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, there is a slight misprint. The noble Lord the Opposition Chief Whip has sharper eyes than perhaps I have.