HL Deb 20 January 1992 vol 534 c567

3.2 p.m.

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I should like to say a word about this afternoon's two debates standing in the names of the noble Lords, Lord Molloy and Lord Jenkins of Putney. As 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 Lord, Lord Molloy, the number of speakers is such that it is not necessary to propose any 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 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 he would do so at the expense of subsequent speakers in the debate.