Traffic lights to speed debates

Press, 9 May 1981, Page 14

Traffic lights to speed debates

By

MARY CHALMERS

in Lisbon

Portugal’s single-chamber Parliament has introduced traffic lights to cut short rambling deputies and keep debates running to schedule. Three sets of automatically controlled lights began operating last month. They glow green while members are using their allotted speaking time, turn amber one minute before it expires and red when the time is up. If deputies continue speaking through a red light, their microphones are cut off after 30 seconds. The new system has drawn mixed reactions from the 250

members, with one Leftwinger, famous for his lengthy speeches, describing it as “using technology to silence the voice of the deputies.” Another deputy said the traffic lights would “help to decongest parliamentary traffic and avoid collisions.” The new system, already used by the European Parliament in Strasbourg, was introduced after protests in the Portuguese press at the snail’s pace of parliamentary business and the poor attendance at debates. — Copyright, London Observer Service.