Did you mean mess speaker:John Bercow?
John Bercow: I must say to the hon. Member for Southend West (Sir David Amess) that my kids think he is a great bloke because he made an effort to go and talk to them at my party last week. He will always be a hero in their eyes.
John Bercow: If the clock was not functioning, it must have been because it was smiling on the hon. Member for Southend West (Sir David Amess), perhaps because it approves of his views on Southend city status. Who knows?
John Bercow: Before I call the hon. Member for Southend West (Sir David Amess) to open the debate, I am afraid I am obliged to inform the House that there must, with immediate effect, be a six-minute limit on Back-Bench orations. We will be led in this important mission by Sir David Amess.
John Bercow: Age first. I call Sir David Amess.
John Bercow: I hope colleagues will want to join me in congratulating the hon. Members for Southend West (Sir David Amess) and for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) in the week, if memory serves me, that they mark the 35th anniversary of their election to the House. They have served continuously ever since their first election.
John Bercow: ...Committee. On account of the level of interest, I am afraid that it is necessary, with immediate effect, to apply a limit of five minutes each on Back-Bench speeches. We will begin with Sir David Amess.
John Bercow: Even these illustrious knights of the realm have to learn to arrive on time. Now, which of them is the more deserving? I think we will hear Sir David Amess.
John Bercow: ...at 1.30 pm. The counting has now finished. Before I announce the results, let me thank, and thank effusively, I hope on behalf of all colleagues, the hon. Member for Southend West (Sir David Amess) and the right hon. Member for Knowsley (Mr Howarth) for public-spiritedly serving as temporary Deputy Speakers during the debates on the Queen’s Speech. They excelled themselves in that...
John Bercow: ...Paul Christopher Maynard, Blackpool North and Cleveleys Eleanor Fulton Laing, Epping Forest Karl Turner, Kingston upon Hull East Ian Richard Kyle Paisley, North Antrim Sir David Anthony Andrew Amess, Southend West Thomas David Simpson, Upper Bann Gavin James Robinson, Belfast East Samuel Wilson, East Antrim Michael John Gapes, Ilford South Kevan David Jones, North Durham John Robert Cryer,...
John Bercow: Finally, and with rapier-like speed, I am sure, I call Sir David Amess.
John Bercow: ...noise in the Chamber. A number of very loud private conversations are taking place. Let us have some order for a very senior and respected Member of the House of 33 years’ standing, Sir David Amess.
John Bercow: I call Sir David Amess—not here.
John Bercow: ...James Dolan Cunningham, Coventry South Clive James Charles Betts, Sheffield South East Geoffrey Robinson, Coventry North West Right honourable John Alan Redwood, Wokingham Sir David Anthony Andrew Amess, Southend West Mark Richard Tami, Alyn and Deeside Mark Steven Spencer, Sherwood Nigel Adams, Selby and Ainsty Geoffrey Robert Clifton-Brown, The Cotswolds Andrew James Bridgen, North West...
John Bercow: I call Sir David Amess.
John Bercow: ...imperative to have brief questions and characteristically brief answers from the Leader of the House. I am sure that a Member who has served for 28 years will set us a good example: I call Mr David Amess.
John Bercow: We are about to come to the Adjournment and I appeal to right hon. and hon. Members who are leaving the Chamber to do so quickly and quietly to afford a fair hearing to Mr David Amess.
John Bercow: Order. I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I call Mr David Amess.
John Bercow: Order. I understand that the Members seeking to catch my eye have the agreement of both the hon. Member for Southend West (Mr Amess) and the Minister.
John Bercow: Just before I call Mr David Amess, can I please appeal plentifully and strenuously to right hon. and hon. Members who are leaving the Chamber to do so quickly and quietly, so that we can hear the hon. Gentleman?
John Bercow: ...perfectly well that he was simply seeking to continue the debate. I am conscious that we will shortly-not just yet, but shortly-have a ten-minute rule motion. The hon. Member for Southend West (Mr Amess) is waiting patiently-as, to be fair, is the Minister on the Front Bench-and we need to get on to that business before too long.