Tobacco Packaging

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Thursday 7th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Bob Blackman]

I will not give way, because Mr Deputy Speaker wants us to make progress.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. Everyone wants to get in, but we are running out of time. I need to remind the House that the opening speech was to be 15 minutes, but we are well over that already.

[Bob Blackman]

Now that we have the evidence, I ask the Government to listen to the debate. We will hear a response from the Minister, and I trust that by the end of this debate, the view of the House will be overwhelming and the Government will seek to introduce regulation on standardised packaging as fast as possible. We will not seek to divide the House today—this is a general debate—but if the Government do not come forward with regulations before Christmas, we will seek another debate on a motion that allows the House to divide and express its clear will.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Order. I shall now reduce the speaking time limit to eight minutes—[Interruption.] If the hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham) wants me to reduce it further, I shall be more than happy to do so, but I am sure that he would rather speak for eight minutes than five. The danger is that speeches will run on, and many Members wish to speak in the second debate.