Order! Questions to the Prime Minister?

Stephen Doughty.

Question number one, Mr. Speaker.

The Prime Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

And, Mr. Speaker, first of all, I'm sure that the whole House will want to join me in paying tribute to our former colleague Paul Flynn.

He was an outstanding parliamentarian, a tireless campaigner and championed his constituency

of Newport West and Wales with energy and enthusiasm for over 30 years.

Paul spent the vast majority of his career as a backbencher and wrote a helpful guide in

his book, Commons knowledge, how to be a backbencher, before being made shadow

leader of the House and shadow Secretary of State for Wales. But of course, he will be remembered

for one of the great parliamentary quotes when he left Labour's front bench in 2016. He said,

Our glorious leader, in an act of pioneering diversity, courageously decided to give opportunities

for geriatrics on the front bench.

And this was so successful that he decided to create opportunities for geriatrics on the back

bench.

I'm double blessed.

Mr. Speaker, this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

In addition to my duties in this House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

Stephen Doughty.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

And can I add my tribute to those words of the Prime Minister for my former constituency

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