Arrangement of Business

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Friday 12th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, before we begin Second Reading, I want to remind all noble Lords of a few important points. There is an advisory speaking time limit for Back-Bench contributions of four minutes. This reflects the large number of speakers, while providing a respectable amount of time for everyone to outline their views. This means that when the Clock reaches three minutes, you should begin to make your concluding remarks, and when the Clock reaches four minutes, your time is up. It is designed to ensure that we can rise at a reasonable time. I estimate that, if speakers keep to the four-minute advisory speaking time, we should be able to finish at around 5 pm today and next Friday. I ask all noble Lords to respect the advisory time limit and all other noble Lords who are speaking in debate.

Openers and winders, including my noble and learned friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the Front-Bench speakers from the Official Opposition and the Liberal Democrats, and the Government Minister, will have longer, as per the usual conventions, although I am sure those colleagues will make sure that their remarks are considerate of the overall debate. I remind those who have tabled amendments that they should keep their remarks within the four-minute advisory time.

I would like to highlight the general rules. All noble Lords speaking should be here at the beginning, at the end and for the best part of the debate, as set out in the Companion.

Finally, noble Lords have sincerely held views both in support and in opposition to the Bill. Please respect that, and in our debate today and next Friday remember courtesy and respect, and show those watching the debate the House of Lords at its best.