Arrangement of Business
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
My Lords, we are in a rather unusual position with regard to the Question for Short Debate. Because it is now last business, different time rules apply. Noble Lords will be aware that Questions for Short Debate are normally for a period of one hour and on that basis the list today had said that the opener would have 10 minutes, the noble Baroness, Lady Northover—the Minister responding— 12 minutes and all other speeches would have been limited to six minutes.
As a result of concluding Committee at this point and the fact that the Government do not intend to return to the Bill in Committee later this evening, the Question for Short Debate therefore goes to 90 minutes. That means that, although the opener speech remains 10 minutes and the Minister remains at 12 minutes, all other speeches may now extend to 10 minutes if those participating so choose.