Business of the House (Lisbon Treaty)

I listened with great interest to the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd). I respect the sincerity of his views, but I do not think that they take into account the reality of how the world is structured today and how communications buzz around the world as quickly as light. The relationship between this House and every other Parliament and constituents has changed to such a degree that we need to reflect on it. It requires us to rethink our procedures, both for debates such as this and in respect of many other things that we do in the House. It has always been my view that the principal weapon of opposition in the modern age is not time but timing. We can have that debate some other time. I respect the views that he expressed.