§ [Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair]
§ Mr. SpeakerI wish to inform the House that I have appointed as Speaker's Chaplain the Rev. Canon Donald Gray, TD., Rector of Liverpool, who is shortly to become a Canon of Westminster. Canon Gray will take up his duties here when the House returns after the Easter recess.
I should like to take this opportunity to express my thanks, and I am sure those of all hon. Members, to Canon Trevor Beeson for his exceptional contribution to the life of the House of Commons during his years as Chaplain from January 1982. He takes with him the good wishes of the House as he assumes his responsibilities as Dean of Winchester.
I am also most grateful to the Rev. Canon James Mansell for acting as Speaker's Chaplain during the present interregnum.