Speaker of the House of Commons: A look back

On Monday, the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle chaired Chamber business including to the Secretary of State for Justice.

On Tuesday morning, the Speaker welcomed the Bangladesh High Commissioner, Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem, to Speaker’s House. During the afternoon the Speaker welcomed the President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, to Parliament, with the Lord Speaker, as part of the President’s State Visit to the UK.

In the afternoon, the Speaker spoke at the 53^rd National Day of the Sultanate of Oman by the Oman Ambassador to London, His Excellency Badr Mohammed Badr Al Mantheri.

In the evening, the Speaker attended the State Dinner at Buckingham Palace in honour of His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea.

On Wednesday morning, the Speaker met virtually with the new Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, The Hon. Greg Fergus.

In the afternoon, the Speaker chaired Chamber business including Prime Minister's Questions.

In the evening, the Speaker hosted this year’s Disability History Month reception in Speaker’s House.

On Thursday, the Speaker also welcomed Tajikistan Ambassador to UK, HE Mrs Rukhshona Emomali, to Speaker’s House.

On the weekend, the Speaker travelled to Israel to meet Israeli Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, and to the Occupied Palestinian Territories to meet Speaker of the Palestinian National Council, Rawhi Fattouh, and Prime Minister of Palestine, Dr Mohammad Shtayyeh.

During the week, the other business in the Chamber included:

Statement: Levelling Up Update
Statement: The Autumn Statement
Debate: Debate on the Autumn Statement
Statement: International Development White Paper
Statement: Veteran Welfare Services Update
Petitions: Presentation of Public Petitions
Question: PMQs
Questions: Business Questions

Find out more about Chamber business which took place during the week . Find out more about the Speaker's role in the Chamber.

21 November

Welcoming the Bangladesh High Commissioner

The Speaker welcomed the Bangladesh High commissioner, HE Saida Muna Tasneem, to Speaker’s House. During their meeting they spoke about the strong relationship between the UK and Bangladesh, the Commonwealth and strengthening the connections between Parliament and Bangladesh’s Jatiya Sangsad.

Welcoming the President of the Republic of Korea

The Speaker welcomed the President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, to Parliament, with the Lord Speaker as part of the President’s State Visit to the UK. The President addressed members of both Houses and staff in the Royal Gallery. The Speaker also attended the State Dinner held by Buckingham Palace in honour of His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea’s visit.

Speaking at the 53^rd Oman National Day

The Speaker was invited to speak at the 53rd National Day of the Sultanate of Oman by the Ambassador to London, His Excellency Badr Mohammed Badr Al Mantheri. The Speaker celebrated the relationship between the two countries, which spans more than 200 years and is still thriving.

Yesterday it was a pleasure to be invited to speak at the 53rd National Day of the Sultanate of Oman by the Ambassador to London, His Excellency Badr Mohammed Badr Al Mantheri.

The relationship between our countries spans more than 200 years and is still thriving. pic.twitter.com/gXylpDsqGo
— Sir Lindsay Hoyle (@CommonsSpeaker) November 22, 2023

22 November

Virtual call with the new Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons

The Speaker held a call with the new Canadian Speaker of the House of Commons, The Hon. Greg Fergus. During their call they talked about the Commonwealth, how their chambers run and our shared links to Montserrat.

Great to meet the new Canadian Speaker of the House of Commons, The Hon. Greg Fergus, @HoCSpeaker.

It was good to talk about the Commonwealth, how our chambers run and our shared links to Montserrat. pic.twitter.com/jWIJ6Ev2wJ
— Sir Lindsay Hoyle (@CommonsSpeaker) November 22, 2023

Hosting Disability History Month reception

The Speaker hosted the 2023 Disability History Month reception at Speaker’s House and with MPs, staff and special guests they celebrated celebrate diversity and took the opportunity to think about how we can all create inclusive spaces in all areas of society from politics to entertainment and sport.

I was proud to have so many great and passionate guests at this year’s #DisabilityHistoryMonth.

Thank you to everyone for joining us and sharing why this month is important. pic.twitter.com/NsYVI275zZ
— Sir Lindsay Hoyle (@CommonsSpeaker) December 1, 2023

23 November

Welcoming the Tajikistan Ambassador to UK

The Speaker welcomed Her Excellency Mrs Rukhshona Emomali, Tajikistan Ambassador to UK, to Speaker’s House, during their meeting they discussed the relationship between the UK and the Republic of Tajikistan and how to strengthen the connections between Parliament and Tajikistan’s Majlisi Oli.

24-25 November

Travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Speaker travelled to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories over the weekend following the recent crisis in the region.

Meeting the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset

The Speaker met with the Israeli Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, to visit the kibbutz of Kfar Aza – one of the most affected communities by the atrocities of 7 October.

Meeting with the Speaker of the Palestinian National Council the Palestinian Prime Minister

In Ramallah the Speaker held bilateral meetings with the Speaker of the Palestinian National Council, Rawhi Fattouh and the Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr Mohammad Shtayyeh. The Speaker expressed condolences for the civilians killed, discussed the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the importance of making progress towards a two-state solution.