“Labouring your joke till you end up inadvertently sounding sinister” award

(There have been already been several jokes in the chamber about the Minister, Lord Young of Norwood Green, losing the will to live.)

Lord Howard of Rising (Con): I am now rather worried about the Minister’s health.

Laughter.

He seems to be looking all right.

Less laughter.

I just hope he will make it through the rest of this evening—perhaps even for the rest of the debate.

A couple of throats are cleared.

It looks as if we have a long hard road ahead in this Committee, and I would hate to think that he would not make it.

His own voice tails off. Awkward silence.