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

[webofevil]

(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.