MP Peter Milliken got a $52,000 raise today. He was elected as the new Speaker of the House Monday, as Parliament began its 37th session.

Milliken, who represents the Ontario riding of Kingston and the Islands, will set the tone for the Commons in the upcoming session.

The Speaker makes an MP's $68,200 base salary plus a $52,000 top-up and is provided with a lavish apartment on Parliament Hill.

I wish to express my humble thanks to this House for the great honour bestowed upon me,'' Milliken said after beating out 10 other candidates for the coveted post. It is one of the few top political positions that the Prime Minister has no hand in appointing.

Milliken's duties will include:

*Presiding over the House, keeping order, and interpreting and enforcing the rules.

*Acting as chief administrative officer of the Commons and its budget.

*Representing the House outside Parliament.

MPs used a secret vote to choose the new speaker, from among 10 Liberals and a member of the Canadian Alliance.

The race quickly narrowed with three MPs, Ontario Liberals Milliken and Bob Kilger, and Canadian Alliance MP Randy White, of British Columbia, remaining after the fourth ballot.

After each ballot, members with the least number of votes, those who got less than five per cent support, and candidates who decided to drop out, were removed from the list. Voting continued until one candidate got majority support.

After his victory, Milliken asked MPs for their unwavering support, even during times when he may have to make a ruling that isn't popular with all interest groups.

The speaker cannot do his job without the support and help of the members of Parliament, Milliken said.

One of Milliken's first challenges will be to deal with a growing movement within the Commons for parliamentary reform. The Canadian Alliance in particular has been vocal about the need for change. Analysts say Milliken will have to take those sentiments seriously.

A really good speaker will ensure that the opposition gets some way of saying what it wants, says Ned Franks, professor emeritus at Queen's University.

The speaker who knows the rules of the House can often assist an opposition member or party when it runs into a problem, said Franks. A speaker who isn't sympathetic to the opposition or doesn't know the rules won't do that. That's why you need somebody who is trusted by the parties on all sides.

On Tuesday, Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson will deliver the Throne Speech.

Insiders say the Throne Speech will repeat several key points from the Liberal Party's Red Book election platform, delivering some new promises related to aboriginal and social issues.

I don't think we can expect anything new in the throne speech, said CTV's Craig Oliver. But as for what can happen in the session, that's always unpredictable.