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Lord Blencathra (Con)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 16 January 2026

Debate

Arrangement of Business

Contribution

My Lords, I seek clarity from the Chief Whip on when we should adjourn discussion of a group and carry it forward to the next designated day after we have reached the official knocking-off time, shall we say? He will know that on Tuesday last, when we were due to finish at 11 pm, at 10.58 pm the Whip on duty suggested that we should adjourn the debate and continue the next day, even though there was only one Peer left to speak. We resolved that matter with the Chief Whip’s help, continued the discussion and finished at 11.08 pm. Contrast that with last Friday when, at 2.30 pm, with four Peers waiting to speak, the Whip on duty decided that we needed to hear from the Front Bench because the whole group had to be concluded by 3 pm. I do not think that is in accordance with our procedures. I would like some clarity from the Chief Whip on whether we should be able to carry forward the remaining discussion on a group if we have not completed it by the official stopping time.

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