Arrangement of Business Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office
Friday 25th November 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Noakes Portrait Baroness Noakes
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My Lords, initially a third Bill was not scheduled for today; it appeared rather late on the list. It has always been clear that the first Bill would attract a large number of speakers. I mean no disrespect to those proposing the second and third Bills today, but the first Bill deals with a matter of national importance and I do not believe that it would be right to restrict the speeches on it.

Lord Grocott Portrait Lord Grocott
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My Lords, I support the 3 pm finishing time, but why is the Deputy Chief Whip so ferocious about the finishing time today when we are on Back-Bench business when time and again during this Session on days that government business has been considered the agreed rising times have been exceeded with apparently relaxed views by the Government? There seem to be dual standards going on.