UK Parliament — House of Commons

The Speaker may announce that he intends to call Members to speak in a debate, or at certain times during that debate, for no longer than any period he may specify, and he may at any time make subsequent announcements varying the terms of an announcement under this paragraph.

Whenever the Speaker has made an announcement under paragraph (1), he may, subject to paragraph (5), direct any Member (other than a Minister of the Crown, a Member speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, or not more than one Member nominated by the leader of the second largest opposition party) who has spoken for that period to resume his seat forthwith.

The Speaker may announce, at or before the commencement of any debate (other than a topical debate) in respect of which he has made or intends to make an announcement under paragraph (1) of this order, that speeches by a Minister of the Crown, Members speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, and not more than one Member nominated by the leader of the second largest opposition party shall be limited to twenty minutes and he may direct any such Member who has spoken for that period to resume his seat forthwith.

The Speaker may announce, at or before the commencement of a topical debate in respect of which he has made or intends to make an announcement under paragraph (1) of this order, that speeches by a Minister of the Crown and any Member speaking on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition shall be limited to ten minutes and he may direct any such Member who has spoken for that period to resume his seat forthwith.

In relation to any speech, the Speaker shall add to any period specified-

under paragraph (1) of this order-

one minute if one intervention is accepted, plus the time taken by that intervention;

two minutes if two or more interventions are accepted, plus the time taken by the first two such interventions;

under paragraph (3) or (4) of this order, one minute for each intervention accepted up to a maximum of fifteen minutes.

Mr. Speaker may announce at the commencement of public business that, because of the number of Members wishing to speak in a debate on one of the matters specified in paragraph (2) of this order, he will call Members either between six o'clock and ten minutes before eight o'clock or between seven o'clock and ten minutes before nine o'clock on Monday to Thursday sittings, and between half-past eleven o'clock and one o'clock on Friday sittings, to speak for not more than ten minutes; and whenever Mr. Speaker has made such an announcement he may, between those hours, direct any Member who has spoken for ten minutes in such a debate to resume his seat forthwith.

This order shall apply to debates on:

the second reading of public bills;

matters selected under paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 13 (Arrangement of public business) for consideration on allotted opposition days;

motions in the name of a Minister of the Crown; and

motions for an address in answer to Her Majesty's Speech.