§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)My Lords, for the first item of business this morning, I shall repeat a Statement being made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in another place. Following the Statement, my right honourable friend Lady Symons of Vernham Dean will open the debate on international terrorism.
At 11 o'clock, we shall join the European-wide day of mourning by observing three minutes' silence. When we reach that hour, the debate will be under way. If it is agreeable to the House, at that time I shall rise and ask the noble Lord who is speaking to pause. I suggest that we stand for the duration of the silence. I have asked the Doorkeepers to prevent anyone from moving in and out of the Chamber during that period. I shall indicate the end of the three-minute silence by sitting down and we shall then continue with the debate.
I know that many noble Lords have put down their names to speak in the debate. Equally, however, I recognise that the usual margin of opportunity has not been available for all those who wish to contribute. Given the extraordinary circumstances, I hope that your Lordships will agree that any noble Lord who has not been able to indicate his wish to speak should be able to do so in the gap. Furthermore, speeches will not be limited to the conventional time for speaking in the gap, but rather noble Lords should be given the 2 opportunity to express their views in full. I ask only that, should any noble Lord wish to speak in the gap, the Clerk at the Table should be notified in advance.
The Lord Chancellor will be attending the memorial service being held this morning at St Paul's Cathedral. He will represent us all: the Government, the judiciary and the rule of law. Personally, I think that it is more appropriate that I remain here and I am sure that other party leaders have reached the same conclusion.