Speaker of the House of Commons: A look back at the past week

<sup>Jamaica is on track to become "the Singapore of the Caribbean" - an important centre for international trade – the High Commissioner to the UK told the Speaker of the House of Commons.

His Excellency Seth George Ramocan CD said the island nation – situated 90 miles south of Cuba – is well placed to become a logistics hub for sea-faring traffic from Europe, Africa and Asia to North and South America.

He made the comments during a meeting with Sir Lindsay Hoyle as part of his Speaker-led diplomacy to establish enduring ties between countries and parliamentarians.

Mr Ramocan said the expansion of the Panama Canal had presented the Caribbean Sea with an opportunity to become even more important for international trade.

Big merchant ships sailing the area needed a place to refuel and Kingston is home to the seventh-largest natural harbour in the world, he said.

His Excellency also used the opportunity to express his nation’s ambition to become a developed country by 2030.</sup>

^{The Speaker of the House of Commons spoke of his pride in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment who are taking part in ceremonial duties across London.}

^{Sir Lindsay Hoyle made the comments as he welcomed more than 40 members of the Regiment to the House of Commons for a special reception in their honour.}

^{The Royal Gibraltar Regiment, whose soldiers have engaged in all major theatres – including tours of Iraq and Afghanistan – were in London to guard key sites, including the Tower of London, St James’ Palace, and Buckingham Palace.}

^{Their time in the capital culminates at the end of the month with the Earl of Wessex presenting the Regiment with new Colours at Windsor Castle.}

^{Sir Lindsay, a long-time friend of Gibraltar and champion of the Regiment, said it was "a great honour" for them to be returning to London during the Platinum Jubilee year of HM The Queen.}

^{"While it is a privilege for any unit to be selected to deliver these duties, it is particularly special for a light infantry – rather than a guards’ - regiment, to be chosen," he said.}

^{"It will be, for many soldiers – both young and old – an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives – certainly one to tell the grandchildren about."}

^{More than 100 members of the Regiment served throughout the Iraq-Afghanistan campaigns.}

^{Most notably, former Commanding Officer, Lt Col Colin Risso, who was a Major when he was awarded the Military Cross after he risked his life to help an American convoy under heavy attack in Afghanistan.}

^{More recently, the Regiment has shared its know-how by partnering with the Moroccan Armed Forces, and through its training with the Gambian UN forces prior to deployment to UN operations.}

<sup>Sir Lindsay, who is Honorary Colonel of 3 Medical Regiment, said: "I am so proud of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, which has been guarding the Rock since 1939, and am in awe of everything it has done, especially during recent high-profile campaigns."

Lt Col Simon Dyson, the Regiment’s Commanding Officer, said his soldiers were "deeply honoured" to be hosted at Speaker’s House.</sup>

^{"It is well known that the Speaker is a big supporter of the Regiment and Gibraltar, but the warmth of our reception and the appreciation for our service was wonderful and humbling in equal measure," he said.}

^{"We look forward to welcoming the Speaker back to Gibraltar later this year."}