STRANGE echoes in Central Lobby when Speaker Michael Martin walked through to the Commons for the first time.

The Speaker's procession is led through the public area by a policeman who bellows ''Speaker!'' The officer did thus as Mr Martin, Labour MP for Glasgow Springburn, made his way through the ornate lobby area.

But then another, slightly less forceful, voice was heard to repeat ''Speaker!''

''His sisters realised who it was,'' admits Mike Foster, Labour MP for Worcester, who at that time was standing in Central Lobby with his son Mark on his shoulders to see over the crowds.

''It was from a junior Foster. His mother heard the voice, but could not believe her son could have such a booming voice.''