Arrangement of Business

Lord Fowler Excerpts

Tuesday 21st April 2020 Lords Chamber

The announcement was made in a Virtual Proceeding via video call.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)]

My Lords, Virtual Proceedings of the House of Lords will now begin. This is the first time that we will conduct Question Time in this way, rather than in the Chamber. I remind Members that these proceedings are subject to parliamentary privilege and that what we say is available to the public through Hansard as well as to those listening.

My Lords, I will call each Oral Question in the normal way. I will then call on the Minister to make the initial response, and then call on the noble Lord who has asked the Question to respond in the usual way. The Minister will again respond, and I shall then call in turn those noble Lords asking supplementary questions as listed on the speakers’ list. Each of the four Questions will be given 10 minutes, as laid down in the Business of the House Motion which was agreed earlier this afternoon. So that we can fit in as many questions as possible, I ask that questions and answers be short. I apologise in advance if it is not possible for everyone to be called. Noble Lords should ensure that they unmute their microphone prior to asking their supplementary question. Microphones will be returned to mute when noble Lords have finished speaking. In accordance with guidance agreed by the Procedure Committee, if your name is not listed, I am afraid it will not be possible to ask a supplementary question or to take part in these proceedings.