HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

4.33 There are reasons for these customs. Members who have missed
the speeches before their own will not know what has already been said
and so points may be repeated or missed. Members who leave soon
after speaking are lacking in courtesy to others, who may wish to
question, or reply to, points they have raised. Debate may degenerate
into a series of set speeches if speakers do not attend throughout.
4.34 It is, however, recognised that some members may have
commitments related to the committee work of the House which may
prevent them from being able to attend as much of the debate as might
otherwise be expected.
Length of speeches
4.35 The House has resolved “That speeches in this House should be
shorter”. 1 Long speeches can create boredom and tend to kill debate.
4.36 In debates where there are no formal time limits, members
opening or winding up, from either side, are expected to keep within 20
minutes. Other speakers are expected to keep within 15 minutes. These
are only guidelines and, on occasion, a speech of outstanding importance,
or a ministerial speech winding up an exceptionally long debate, may
exceed these limits. 2 For length of speeches in time-limited proceedings
see paragraph 6.61; in questions for short debate see paragraph 6.44.
4.37 Clocks are installed under the galleries to time the length of
speeches. The clocks are used principally to record:
the length of speeches in all debates except debates on
amendments and in Committee of the whole House;
the time taken on amendments at all stages and, in Committee of
the whole House, on debates on the Question that a clause or
Schedule stand part of the bill;
the total time taken for oral questions;
for ministerial statements, the length of the statement itself, the
frontbench exchanges and the backbench exchanges. 3
1 LJ (1964–65) 386.
2 Procedure 1st Rpt 1987–88.
3 Procedure 6th Rpt 1971–72, 1st Rpt 1982–83.
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