not quick to recognise the Premier in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Near the start of the sitting, Speaker the Hon. Ernest DeCouto recognised Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge when he rose to make a statement at the same time as Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan .

Sir John had to take his seat momentarily before Mr. Woolridge deferred to him.

It also took Sir John longer than usual to be recognised when MPs were offering congratulations and condolences to constituents.

Mr. DeCouto, who served as Deputy Speaker in the last Parliament, was shocked when the United Bermuda Party caucus chose Dr. David Dyer to succeed the Hon.

David Wilkinson in the Speaker's chair.

But with the help of the Progressive Labour Party and rebel UBP MPs, Mr.

DeCouto was elected Speaker anyway last Friday.