§ 3.5 p.m.
§ Lord CarterMy Lords, it may be for the convenience of the House if I say a few words about today's proceedings relating to the Chinook helicopter debate. Although there are Motions on the Order Paper in the names of the noble Lords, Lord Tordoff, Lord Chalfont and Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank, it has been agreed that there will be one debate. The noble Lord, Lord Tordoff, will speak first and move the Motion standing in his name. The noble Lord, Lord Chalfont, will speak next and move his amendment. A debate will then take place on that amendment. That will provide an opportunity for the noble Lord, Lord Rodgers, and any other noble Lord who wishes to take part, to speak. At the end of the debate, it may be helpful if the noble Lord, Lord Tordoff, responds to any points that have been addressed to him. The noble Lord, Lord Chalfont, will have the right to reply. The business will then be disposed of without any further debate in the following order: first, the amendment of the noble Lord, Lord Chalfont; secondly, the Motion standing in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Tordoff; and, thirdly, the Motion standing in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Rodgers.