§ 11.30 a.m.
§ Lord CarterMy Lords, the House may wish me to outline the arrangements for discussing the situation in Iraq this afternoon. At a convenient moment after 3.30 p.m., my noble friend the Leader of the House will repeat a Statement made in another place by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister.
I suggest that in view of the severity of the situation and the fact that the Statement will probably come at the end of business—on which I shall say more in a moment—the normal rules that govern the time spent on a Statement should be relaxed. The 20-minute time-limit for Back-Benchers' questions will be suspended.
As regards the rest of the day's business, the House will proceed through the business on the Order Paper. It is expected that that business will be concluded before 3.30 p.m. If that is so, the House will adjourn during pleasure until 3.30 p.m. to await the repeating of the Statement. The Christmas tributes will be made on the Motion to adjourn during pleasure. Royal Assent will be taken at 3.30 p.m., immediately before the Statement is repeated.
1460 As this afternoon's proceedings will be on the Statement, no speakers list will be produced. I expect that many noble Lords who will wish to take part may not be aware of these arrangements until this afternoon. Under those circumstances, I hope that the House will proceed through the business on the Statement in the orderly and self-regulating way that characterises your Lordships' House.
§ Lord HenleyMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Government Chief Whip for that very welcome statement. I am sure that the House greatly appreciates the fact that he is prepared to agree to relax the usual rules that apply to Statements. I hope that the House will have a good opportunity to debate these very serious matters. I join the noble Lord the Government Chief Whip in saying that we hope that all noble Lords will try to keep their remarks appropriately brief.