The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means took the Chair as Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order. – in the House of Commons on 21 October 2005.
The Deputy speaker is in charge of proceedings of the House of Commons in the absence of the Speaker.
The deputy speaker's formal title is Chairman of Ways and Means, one of whose functions is to preside over the House of Commons when it is in a Committee of the Whole House.
The deputy speaker also presides over the Budget.
