HOUSE OF LORDS - United Kingdom Parliament

CHAPTER 6
STATEMENTS, QUESTIONS AND MOTIONS
STATEMENTS
Personal statements
6.01 A member may by leave of the House make a short factual
statement of a personal character, such as a personal apology, a
correction of information given in a speech made by him in the House or
a reply to allegations made against him in the House. Personal statements
are usually made at the beginning of business and are not debatable.
Ministerial statements (oral) 1
6.02 Statements by ministers on matters of public importance may be
made by leave of the House without notice. 2 Such statements are
commonly synchronised in the two Houses, and it is normal for the
House of Lords to be informed after oral questions, by a government
announcement, of the time when the statement will be made.
Annunciators in the House also show this information.
Timing
6.03 If the responsible minister is a Member of the House of
Commons, the statement is made first in that House and may be
repeated in the House of Lords. The timing is agreed through the usual
channels.
6.04 If the responsible minister is a member of the House of Lords, the
statement is usually made after questions (on Fridays, at the beginning of
business).
6.05 If the House is in committee, it is resumed on the motion of a
member of the government for the purpose of hearing the statement.
When the statement and exchanges following it are finished, the House
again resolves itself into a committee, on the motion of the Lord in
charge of the bill. On days when there are two balloted debates or time-
1 Procedure 2nd Rpt 1984–85.
2 SO 35.
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