HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

Interruption of speeches
4.29 A member of the House who is speaking may be interrupted with
a brief question for clarification. Giving way accords with the traditions
and customary courtesy of the House. It is, however, recognised that a
member may justifiably refuse to give way, for instance, in the middle of
an argument, or to repeated interruption, or in time-limited proceedings
when time is short. Lengthy or frequent interventions should not be
made, even with the consent of the member speaking.
Speaking more than once
4.30 In the case of motions, no member may speak more than once,
except the mover in reply, or a member who has obtained the leave of
the House. Such leave may be granted only to:
a member to explain a material point of their speech, without
introducing any new subject matter;
the Chairman of Committees, or in his absence a Deputy
Chairman, and the chairman of a select committee on the report
of such a committee;
a minister of the Crown.
4.31 When the House is in committee there is no restriction on the
number of times on which a member may speak. 1
Attendance at debate
4.32 A member of the House who is taking part in a debate is
expected to attend the greater part of that debate. 2 It is considered
discourteous for a member not to be present for the opening speeches,
for at least the speech before and that following their own, and for the
winding-up speeches. Members who become aware in advance that they
are unlikely to be able to stay until the end of a debate should remove
their names from the list of speakers. Ministers may decide not to
answer, orally or in writing, points made by a speaker who does not stay
to hear the minister’s closing speech.
1 SO 30.
2 Procedure 1st Rpt 1969–70; 1st Rpt 1987–88; 3rd Rpt 1995–96; 1st Rpt 1998–99; 1st Rpt
2002–03.
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