Speaker of the House of Commons: A look back
15 May - 21 May 2023
On Monday, the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle chaired Chamber business including Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence.
The Speaker welcomed the Gurkha Brigade to the House of Commons as part of a visit to learn about how UK Parliament functions.
On Tuesday, as well as chairing Chamber business, the Speaker welcomed Cuban Ambassador Bárbara Montalvo Álvarez, to Speaker's House.
On Wednesday morning, the Speaker welcomed the Estonian Ambassador, Viljar Lubi to Speaker's House.
The Speaker also chaired Chamber business including Prime Minister's Questions.
During the day the Speaker welcomed suicide awareness and prevention initiative Baton of Hope, to Speaker's House.
In the evening a reception was held in the State Apartments to celebrate St Helena's Blue and Green Agenda.
On Thursday, the Speaker welcomed French Ambassador, Hélène Duchêne to Speaker's House.
During the week, the following business took place in the Chamber:
- Urgent Question: National Crime Agency Investigation: Javad Marandi
- Opposition Day: Cost of Living
- Urgent Question: UK Car Industry
- Statement: Buses: Funding
The Speaker also presided over further business in the Chamber.
Find out more about Chamber business which took place during the week. Find out more about the Speaker's role in the Chamber.
15 May
Welcoming the Gurkha Brigade
The Speaker welcomed the Gurkha Brigade to the House of Commons as part of a visit to learn about how UK Parliament functions. The Gurkhas have served the British Crown for over 200 years, and the Speaker expressed that it was an honour to meet with the new recruits.
16 May
Welcoming Cuban Ambassador Bárbara Montalvo Álvarez
The Speaker welcomed the Ambassador Bárbara Montalvo Álvarez to the State Apartments in Speaker's House where they had the opportunity to discuss bilateral relations between Cuba and the UK.
17 May
Welcoming Estonian Ambassador Viljar Lubi
The Speaker welcomed the Ambassador Viljar Lubi to the State Apartments in Speaker's House where they discussed support for Ukraine, and the strong relationship between the UK and Estonia across a range of areas including defence and technology.
Prime Ministers Questions took place - Click here to catch up with Wednesday 17 May's PMQs
Meeting with suicide awareness and prevention initiative Baton of Hope
The Speaker welcomed members of the Baton of Hope charity to Speaker's House where they discussed the importance of encouraging conversations around suicide, and key suicide prevention steps.
Starting in June to raise awareness, the Baton will journey through Edinburgh, Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester, Belfast, Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Brighton to reach Downing Street in London on Thursday, July 6.
Reception for St Helena's Blue and Green Agenda
The Speaker was proud to speak at a reception hosted in the State Apartments celebrating St Helena’s Green and Blue Agenda and the ongoing Cloud Forest Project.
Over 120 guests attended. This included Chief Minister Julie Thomas, UK Parliamentarians, St Helena Cloud Forest Project partners, people connected with St Helena through charities and other groups, officials from UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and St Helenian students currently studying in the UK.
Guests also had the opportunity to view the newly installed stained-glass windows in Speaker's House - tangible reminders of the strong and close links between the UK, the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
18 May
Welcoming French Ambassador Hélène Duchêne
The Speaker welcomed the Ambassador Hélène Duchêne to the State Apartments in Speaker's House.
A 376-year-old letter dating back to 1647 from a nine-year-old King Louis XIV was shown to France’s ambassador by the Speaker. During their meeting, Mr Speaker also showed Madame Duchêne two historic photos from the archives, including one of French President Auriol addressing both Houses of Parliament in the Royal Gallery in 1950.
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