Speaker of the House of Commons: A look back

On Monday, the Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, welcomed representatives from Lancashire to Speaker’s House for Lancashire Day. In the afternoon, the Speaker chaired Chamber business including Questions to the Home Secretary.

On Wednesday morning, the Speaker welcomed to the House of Commons, the Greek Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Mr Yannis Tsaousis. In the afternoon, the Speaker chaired Chamber business including Prime Minister's Questions.

In the evening, the Speaker welcomed Sir Elton John and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and Aids to Speaker’s House ahead of World Aids Day.

On Friday, the Speaker travelled to Gibraltar to meet with the new Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament, Hon. Judge Karen Ramagge, the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, the Governor of Gibraltar, His Excellency Sir David Steel and Commissioner of Girl Guiding Gibraltar, Claire Montado. The Speaker also met with veterans of the Gibraltar Branch of the Royal British Legion and in his role as Chancellor of the University of Gibraltar, the Speaker, attended this year’s graduation ceremony.

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

Debate: The Autumn Statement (continued)
Urgent Question: To the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Urgent Question: To the Home Secretary
Urgent Question: To the Secretary of State for Defence
Urgent Question: To the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Questions: PMQs
Business of the House: Private Member’s Bills Motion

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

27 November

Hosting Lancashire Day in Speaker’s House

The Speaker hosted a reception in Speaker’s House to mark Lancashire Day and welcomed many of Lancashire’s finest representatives to mark the day.

29 November

Welcoming the Greek Ambassador

The Speaker welcomed the Greek Ambassador to the UK, His Exellency Mr Yannis Tsaousis, to Speaker’s House for a long-planned visit as part of my regular meetings with the diplomatic corps. During the meeting they spoke about the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, the impact of climate change in Greece and what more we can do to increase collaboration between the UK and Greek legislatures.

Welcoming Sire Elton John and the APPG on HIV and Aids

Ahead of World Aids Day the Speaker welcomed Sire Elton John, members of the APPG on HIV and Aids and other guests to Speaker’s House. The Speaker praised Sir Elton’s exceptional contribution to the global fight against HIV and AIDS, both personally and through the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Images: © Dave Benett

1-3 December

Visiting Gibraltar

The Speaker travelled to Gibraltar to meet with leaders, members of the military and others across The Rock to continue to build relationships between the House of Commons and the British Overseas Territories.

Meeting the new Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament

The Speaker met with the newly appointed Speaker of the of the Gibraltar Parliament, the Hon. Judge Karen Ramagge, during their meeting they discussed collaboration between as all those part of the British Family and looked ahead to their next meeting in 2024 with our fellow Speakers from the Overseas Territories.

Meeting the Royal Gibraltar Regiment

The Speaker met with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and heard about the breadth of their work and how they support the community of Gibraltar.

Meeting the Governor of Gibraltar and Commissioner of Girl Guiding Gibraltar

The Speaker caught up with the Governor of Gibraltar, His Excellency Sir David Steel and Commissioner of Girl Guiding Gibraltar, Claire Montado. During their meeting they discussed the devastating impact the closure of British Girlguiding Overseas could have. Particularly on the Overseas Territories and the Gibraltar community, where it will affect 158 Girl Guiding members and 40 volunteers.

Meeting veterans of the Gibraltar Branch of the Royal British Legion

The Speaker had the honour of meeting with the veterans of the Gibraltar Branch of the Royal British Legion during the visit. The Speaker shared with the veterans how proud he is that each year Gibraltar is represented in the House of Commons Garden of Remembrance and at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

University of Gibraltar graduation ceremony

The Speaker in his role as Chancellor of the University of Gibraltar attended the graduation ceremony of students of the university alongside visiting Gibdock to see the university’s facilities used by maritime students in their training.