Politics will begin to get back to business as usual today after historic tributes were paid to Baroness Thatcher in Parliament.

David Cameron is to visit the Midlands in the wake of an unprecedented seven-hour debate to honour the former prime minister's life and legacy.

The overwhelming majority of contributions in the Commons came from admiring Tory MPs, with scores of Labour members choosing to stay away.

There was also criticism of Mr Cameron's insistence on recalling Parliament from its Easter break for the session, rather than waiting until Monday.

Reports suggest Speaker John Bercow and his own chief whip Sir George Young were against the move, usually only employed in moments of national emergency.

A further row appears to be brewing over arrangements for Lady Thatcher's ceremonial funeral next Wednesday, with Mr Cameron pushing for Prime Minister's Questions to be cancelled and the Commons to sit later.

Mr Bercow is said to have insisted the Government tables a motion to change the timetable, which could be pushed to a vote.

Mr Cameron kicked off the tributes in the Commons yesterday afternoon by praising Lady Thatcher as an "extraordinary leader and an extraordinary woman".

He said as Britain's first woman premier she had burst through the "glass ceiling" and made the country "great" again.

Ed Miliband, speaking from sparsely-populated Opposition benches, hailed her as a "unique and towering figure" who had "defined the politics of a generation".

But other Labour MPs were not so warm in their tributes. Former minister Michael Meacher said her "scorched earth" tactics had "polarised" the nation, while veteran David Winnick referred to the "immense pain and suffering" she caused to ordinary people.

Labour backbencher Glenda Jackson sparked howls of protest from Conservatives as she launched a full frontal assault on the "heinous" Thatcher record.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said although it was fair to "shun the tenets of Thatcherism" it was possible to still respect Lady Thatcher's personal achievements.

In the Lords, speakers included her former cabinet ministers Lord Fowler and Lord Tebbit - who expressed sadness that he had not been able to stop her being ejected from Downing Street in 1990.

It emerged yesterday that more than 700 Armed Forces personnel will take part in the funeral, which is expected to be attended by dignitaries from around the world.

Three military bands will play, their drums draped in black, while processional minute guns will be fired from Tower Wharf at Tower Bridge.

Lady Thatcher's coffin will be carried into St Paul's cathedral by bearers drawn from ships, squadrons and regiments particularly associated with the Falklands War.

Sir Mark Thatcher, in his first public comments since his mother's death, said the family was grateful and honoured that the Queen had agreed to attend the funeral.

"I know my mother would be greatly honoured as well as humbled by her presence," he said.

"We have quite simply been overwhelmed by messages of support, condolence of every type from far and wide and I know that my mother would be pleased they have come from people of all walks of life."

Ministers were yesterday forced to defend spending public money on the funeral of a figure who remains so controversial.

Downing Street confirmed that there would be a contribution made from Lady Thatcher's estate, but said the cost to the taxpayer would not be disclosed until after the service had taken place.

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have already confirmed they will be attending the service, although formal invitations are only expected to be issued today.

The event has been codenamed "True Blue", and a co-ordination committee will be meeting every day to finalise the arrangements.