§ 3.8 p.m.
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, it may be for the convenience of the House to know—and it certainly gives me great pleasure to announce—that, subject to the progress of business, the House will rise for the Summer Recess on Thursday, 25th July and will return on Tuesday, 15th October. It may be equally convenient to know that the House will sit at 11 a.m. on Thursday, 25th July.
1449 While I am on my feet, perhaps I may take this opportunity to draw to your Lordships' attention the very great length of the speakers' list for today's debate. While we have taken the decision that the debate should not be time limited, it would obviously be desirable if all noble Lords were to exercise some self-restraint over the length of their speeches. As indicated on the speakers' list, if all speakers were to limit themselves to a maximum of 10 minutes, the debate would still continue until about 10.20 p.m. Although I have no desire to prevent your Lordships debating this issue in full—in fact I welcome it—I have no doubt that noble Lords towards the end of the list would particularly appreciate brevity on the part of noble Lords speaking earlier.