MPs could be about to cut the time they spend talking.

The idea was raised by Government MP Walter Lister and was supported by Opposition MP John Barritt who told The Royal Gazette he had first come up with the idea.

Mr. Lister suggested that when debating legislation and in other special debates the relevant minister and Opposition spokesperson could take as much time as they wished while other MPs would be limited to 20-30 minutes rather than talk without restriction.

Mr. Lister said: "It's an extension of democracy in that it will allow more people to speak."

The device would reduce the need for all night sittings and encourage MPs to speak to the point, he argued.

"Currently people speak, then they talk, then they waffle. I want those last two components to be dispensed with."

Parliamentarians in other jurisdictions operated under time limits argued Mr. Lister. And he said the issue of time limits in budget debates could also be looked at.

Mr. Lister said this was a difficult issue as ministers often had a lot of information to give out.

But he said: "I think we have to take a second look at that. I think we are trying to inject fairness into the process."

Opposition House leader John Barritt said of the proposal to limit speaking time: "It's word for word what I proposed in the last session."

He said he had put forward a number of recommendations to improve efficiency in Parliament including topical question and answer sessions.