§ Mr. SpeakerI informed the House on 13th May that the Serjeant at Arms had asked to retire from the service of the House on 1st August. I am sorry to have to say that, due to continuing ill health, the Serjeant has been obliged to give up his duties earlier than expected.
With the agreement of the Palace, Colonel Thorne takes over as Serjeant at Arms today.
I am sure that all right hon. and hon. Members will join me in wishing Sir Alexander Gordon Lennox a speedy recovery.