British shadow chancellor Mr Michael Portillo today praised chancellor Mr Gordon Brown for "building on the work" begun by former Tory prime minister Mr John Major in fighting third world debt.
Mr Portillo rose to loud cheers from his own side, while Labour backbenchers waved goodbye with their order papers.
In his farewell appearance at the despatch box after losing out in the Tory leadership election, Mr Portillo urged him to "carry forward" the work on behalf of all the parties.
Mr Brown, in turn, paid tribute to Mr Portillo's contribution to national life and the "dignified manner" in which he had handled defeat.
"I think all of us understood the difficulties that the Conservative Party had in choosing from their three candidates. I suppose you can say that you appealed to all thinking Conservatives - but there weren't enough of them," he said to Labour laughter.
The exchanges came during Commons question time, after Mr Brown had won congratulations from all sides for his impending fatherhood. He and his wife, Sarah, announced yesterday they were expecting their first baby next February.
Mr Portillo's swansong appearance followed William Hague's last appearance as Tory leader at the Commons despatch box yesterday.
PA