HL Deb 28 October 1992 vol 539 c1122

3.30 p.m.

The Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I should like to say a word about the length of speeches in today's debate standing in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Carter, to which your Lordships have agreed to apply a five-hour time limit. On the principle that the mover is allowed 20 minutes and that the Minister should rise to reply not less than 25 minutes before the scheduled end of the debate, this means that all other speeches should be limited to a maximum of 10 minutes. If any noble Lord should speak at greater length he would he doing so at the expense of other speakers in the debate.