§ 3.31 p.m.
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, with the leave of the House, I should like to say a word about the two debates standing in the names of the noble Lords, Lord Williams of Elvel and Lord Judd. As the mover is allowed 15 minutes and the Minister should rise to 227 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 Williams of Elvel, this means that all other speeches should be limited to a maximum of nine minutes and in that of the noble Lord, Lord Judd,10 minutes. If any noble Lord were to speak at greater length he would be doing so at the expense of subsequent speakers in that debate.
I take the opportunity once again to remind your Lordships that the digital timing devices in the Chamber indicate the moments that have passed rather than the moments to be anticipated; thus, nine minutes means that the 10th minute has been entered into.
This might also be a suitable occasion for me to draw to your Lordships' attention the fact that today was the last day upon which we shall have the great pleasure of Garter King of Arms introducing noble Lords to your Lordships' House. We are all, I am sure, deeply grateful to him for the occasions upon which he has led many Peers across the Rubicon that lies between the Moses Room and your Lordships' Chamber on entering your Lordships' House.