a minute's silence.

And Mr. Wilkinson -- who died suddenly last Sunday aged 65 -- was remembered by a string of MPs who paid tribute to his wit and wisdom.

Premier Pamela Gordon, who led the tributes, said: "He will surely be a miss to this community, to the Parliamentary process and the House.'' Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said Mr. Wilkinson, who stood down from his Paget West seat and the Speaker's chair in 1993, added that he was a "witty, interesting and penetrating orator''.

Opposition Shadow Youth and Sport Minister Nelson Bascome said: "Although our views were different, he always appreciated the difference in those views.

"I always called him Mr. Speaker -- I had that much respect for him. He was a gentleman.'' PLP colleague Walter Roberts recalled that he had once been thrown out of the House by Mr. Wilkinson as a disciplinary measure -- but that the then-Speaker had tempered justice with mercy.

Mr. Roberts said: "I walked out of the House and came back in again. He knew he had to follow the protocol of it, but he used compassion. He was a very compassionate person.'' UBP backbencher Maxwell Burgess told the House Mr. Wilkinson had bought him his first bottle of champagne -- and added that he had been privileged to drink in his experience and wisdom as well.

Veteran UBP Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge recalled meeting Mr. Wilkinson in London and being offered a lift in the Rolls Royce Mr. Wilkinson was driving.

Mr. Woolridge said he got in the back seat of the luxury car -- but Mr.

Wilkinson did not move off.

He added that when he asked what was wrong, Mr. Wilkinson inquired if he would like him to wear a chauffeur's cap.

And Mr. Woolridge laughed: "He told me he didn't want people to think he was chauffeuring some African prince about -- and that if I wanted to go anywhere, I had to sit up front with him.'' Mr. Wilkinson -- known as the Wilkinson Sword for his rapier wit -- was buried yesterday after a church service in Holy Trinity Church, Hamilton Parish. MPs cut short the debate on the Throne Speech in order to attend the 4 p.m.

funeral.

He was elected to the Paget West seat in 1968 and served as Speaker from 1989 to 1993. He is survived by wife Ina and daughter Linda.

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