Adjournment Debate, May 11, 2001, John Bercow MP w/final House of Commons Speech from Tony Benn MP

John Bercow MP spoke on the topic of diabetes on the adjournment debate on the final day of the 1997-2001 Parliament with a general election having been called on June 7, 2001. During this adjournment debate, Mr. Bercow referenced the impending retirement of Tony Benn MP who first entered the House of Commons in 1950. Mr. Benn thanked Mr. Bercow for his comments that "Hansard is the only newspaper that will record his speech, but I shall long remember it." The debate also had the final House of Commons contribution from Dale Campbell-Savours MP who first entered the House in 1979.

As the House awaited word from the House of Lords that Royal Assent was given to several Acts of Parliament, Speaker Martin addressed the House from the chair and made several comments thanking honourable members for their friendship and kindness shown to him over the years with a moving tribute to Mr. Benn's wife Caroline who had recently passed away.

Points of Order were also raised with Speaker Michael Martin including one from Dennis Skinner MP about a report in the Daily Mirror that he was retiring from the House as well. Mr. Skinner rebuffed these reports and stated that " I shall be back here, fighting for redistribution of wealth from the City financiers to the poor and those whom my hon. Friends have represented over the years"

Mr. Benn's final contribution was on a point of order thanking Mr. Speaker for his comments and that he looked forward to his re-election to the Chair in due course.

HANSARD: https://api.parliament.uk/historic-ha...

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