five years in Parliament's hotseat.

And MPs queued up to pay tribute to Mr. DeCouto, an MP for more than a quarter of a century.

An emotional Mr. DeCouto told MPs: "I would like to announce to this House and to my constituents in Smith's North that I will not be a Parliamentary candidate at the next General Election.'' But he added: "However, I will remain as Speaker until the next Parliament and a new Speaker is elected.'' The move -- which follows running mate Leonard Gibbons decision to retire -- opens the way for Bank of Bermuda executive Cole Simons and Sen. Allan Marshall to run in the constituency.

The Royal Gazette revealed in December last year that Mr. DeCouto was set to quit -- but he insisted at the time the proper way to make the break was by an announcement to the House of Assembly. He thanked Parliamentary colleagues for "a very interesting experience'' and his wife and family for allowing him to devote his time to the House.

Mr. DeCouto has had to deal with political hot potatoes like the anti-fast food act, the Prohibited Restaurants Act and the row over the delayed Independence Referendum in 1995.

Mr. DeCouto said: "A lot of things have not been run-of-the-mill type motions.

"But it's been a really rewarding experience and I've enjoyed every minute of it.'' Premier Pamela Gordon led the tributes to Mr. DeCouto's term of office as referee of disputes on the floor of the House.

She told the Speaker: "I'm sure this Honourable House will join with me in giving you our best wishes. You have acquitted yourself quite honourably in the role alloted to you. I hope you will be able to enjoy yourself away from us and not miss us too much.'' Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith admitted she had had differences with the Speaker since she took the top PLP job.

She added he had served during "a very difficult time'' in the House.

And she told Mr. DeCouto: "While we may at times differ, all of us have given our best and I wish you a very long and happy retirement.'' Mr. DeCouto -- president of DeCouto and Dunstan Real Estate until he retired in 1992 -- still works as a business consultant and a director of firms including the Harmony Club in Paget.

He was elected in the Smith's North constituency in 1972 and served as a Parliamentary Secretary in Education, Labour and Home Affairs and later as Minister of Youth and Sport.

Mr. DeCouto became Speaker in 1993 -- backed by the Opposition over Government's candidate David Dyer, now retired from politics. The current Speaker had been Deputy Speaker and House tradition dictated he should be elected Speaker after David Wilkinson quit politics. But the UBP caucus nominated Dr. Dyer -- but lost the vote in the House 22-17. The PLP were supported by then-UBP MP Grace Bell, Government backbencher Trevor Moniz and another UBP MP.

Ex-Works and Engineering Minister Leonard Gibbons paid tribute to Mr. DeCouto.

Mr. Gibbons said the people of Smith's North had been "well served'' by Mr.

DeCouto.

Government Whip Quinton Edness said Mr. DeCouto had had "a very long and distinguished career in Parliament.'' He said Mr. DeCouto had been in charge during the row over the Independence Referendum and during the long-running controversy over the anti-fast food Prohibited Restaurants Act.

PLP MP Lois Browne Evans appeared to suggest that Mr. DeCouto had been a "faithful member of the United Bermuda Party'' -- even after being elected to the neutral role of Speaker.

And Mr. DeCouto asked her to withdraw the remark, for which Mrs Browne Evans apologised.

Youth and Sport Minister John Barritt -- whose father served as Speaker -- said he could say Mr. DeCouto was "the best Speaker I have ever known.''