The bells of Big Ben and the Great Clock at Westminster will remain silent on Wednesday during Baroness Thatcher's funeral as a mark of respect to the former prime minister, Commons Speaker John Bercow said today.

Mr Bercow said he had received a number of suggestions about how Parliament could pay its respects to Lady Thatcher following her death last week at the age of 87.

But he had decided the best way would be for the bells of Big Ben and the Great Clock to remain silent.

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude, raising a point of order to respond to Mr Bercow's announcement, said he welcomed the decision.

Mr Bercow said: "I would like to make a short statement about the arrangements for Lady Thatcher's funeral on Wednesday. I have received a number representations, both direct and indirect, both formal and informal, concerning how the House, and Parliament as an institution, might best mark this occasion.

"I have considered all of these but concluded that the most appropriate means of indicating our sentiments would be for the chimes of Big Ben and the chimes of the Great Clock to be silent for the duration of the funeral proceedings.

"I have therefore made the necessary arrangements to achieve this. I believe there can be a profound dignity and deep respect both expressed in and through silence and I am sure that the House will agree."

Responding to the Speaker, Mr Maude said: "As you know, Lady Thatcher held Parliament in very great reverence in her time both in this House and in the Lords and I am confident that this will be seen as a very dignified and respectful gesture on behalf of Parliament and I am very grateful to you.

"I am confident that Lady Thatcher's family will take it very much in that spirit and be very appreciative of what you have decided."

The House of Commons authorities said the last time the bells were silenced were for Winston Churchill's funeral except in the 1970s when it broke down.