HC Deb 18 March 1982 vol 20 c481 3.31 pm
Mr. Speaker

I have to inform the House that I have received a letter from the Serjeant at Arms in the following terms: I have the honour to make application that you will be pleased to sanction my retirement on 20 August next from my office by patent of Her Majesty's Serjeant at Arms attending the Speaker of the House of Commons. I have been in the service of this honourable House for upwards of 33 years, and I feel that the time has arrived when it is desirable that I should no longer retain my appointment.

After consultation with the House of Commons Commission, who were unanimous, I have submitted to Her Majesty the name of the Deputy Serjeant at Arms, Major Victor Le Fanu, to succeed Sir Peter Thorne, and Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to accept my advice.

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Francis Pym)

I am sure that the whole House will have heard with very sincere regret, Mr. Speaker, the letter which you have just read out. The occasion for a formal expression of our appreciation and thanks to Sir Peter Thorne for his long service will arise at a later date when I shall move an appropriate motion. That I do not do so today is in accordance with precedent and does not detract in any way from the gratitude and the very warm regard that I know is felt on both sides of the House towards the Serjeant at Arms for his distinguished service to the House.

Mr. Michael Foot (Ebbw Vale)

We appreciate that we should on a proper and formal occasion pay tribute to Sir Peter Thorne for all the work that he has done for us. All who have known him realise that he extends to the House his courtesy, experience and knowledge in the most generous terms. I am sure that we shall all join together in wishing to make that tribute to him a proper one when the time comes.

Mr. William Hamilton (Fife, Central)

Without wishing to throw any grit into the works, may I say that it should be brought to the attention of the House that these gentlemen are servants of the House and that the House should have some means of expressing its views, not only on the merits of the present incumbent in the office, but on the future appointment. The House should reserve the right to decide who its servants should be.