Speaker News: Lookback at the week commencing 21 October 2024

Speaker in the Chair 

On Monday 14 October, the Speaker started the week’s Chamber business with the Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Office. The Speaker also granted an Urgent Question from Paul Holmes MP to ask Foreign Secretary David Lammy, if he will make a statement on the new immigration arrangements between UKG and St Helena. 

At midday on Wednesday 23 October, the Speaker chaired Prime Minister’s Questions in the Chamber of the House of Commons. For the first time since the General Election, the Prime Minister was away on business, and it was the turn of Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner and Sir Oliver Dowden, Shadow Deputy Prime Minister to take to their respective Despatch boxes.  

Beyond the Speaker’s Chair  

Following the devastating impact of September’s Typhoo Yagi, I met with HE Mr Do Minh Hung, Viet Nam’s Ambassador to the UK, in Speaker’s House. We discussed the challenges faced after the extreme weather and also their investment in the science and technology sector.  

The Speaker attended and spoke at an event hosted by Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK - a legislative strengthening seminar to address gender-based violence and modern slavery in supply chains. 

The Speaker also welcomed HE Mr João Paulo da Costa Rangel, Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Speaker’s House. As an international representative of the House, the Speaker continues to develop and strengthen inter-parliamentary ties between our Parliament and the international community.  

The Speaker was glad to open the State Rooms of Speaker’s House to the OppO Foundation for their special celebration dinner. The Speaker and guests had the honour of watching the band of the Scots Guards perform in Speaker’s Court along with a special appearance from the rooftop piper.