HC Deb 22 October 1973 vol 861 cc705-6
Mr. Speaker

I have two statements to make to the House. I have to inform the House that I have received a letter from the Clerk of the House in the following terms: I write in accordance with custom to let you know that I wish to resign my position as Clerk of the House at the end of this year. On 31st December I shall have completed exactly forty-three years in the service of the Commons including twelve years as the Clerk, when I had the honour of presiding in the House on five occasions during the election of the Speaker. Throughout these years my work has been made lighter by the help of many colleagues and especiallly by the kindly tolerance of the Chair and of Members of all parties. For that help and kindness I shall always be deeply grateful.

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. James Prior)

I am sure that the whole House will wish to pay tribute to the distinguished service that the Clerk has given, but there will be an opportunity to express our thanks on a motion at a later date. I suggest, therefore, that this afternoon we follow precedent and reserve our remarks for that occasion.

Mr. Harold Wilson

I, too, am assuming that there will be another opportunity of paying tribute to one who has served this House faithfully in many capacities—most of all as Clerk of the House—and to express the hope that the views of the House, not only of Front Benchers but of hon. Members in all parts of the House, will be sought before a successor is appointed.

Mr. Speaker

With regard to that, I think it is important that I should deal with that point—and the reason will become apparent from the second statement that I shall make. Although I gather that it is not in accordance with precedent for it to be announced in the House, I think that this is a matter of which the House should be informed. I am glad to say that the Queen has approved the Prime Minister's recommendation, made after consultation with me, that Mr. D. W. S. Lidderdale should succeed Sir Barnett Cocks as Clerk of the House of Commons.