§ 2.56 p.m.
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Befstead)My Lords, it is with regret that I have to notify the House that the Clerk of Parliaments was taken seriously ill at the weekend and will be away from your Lordships' House for some time to come. The whole House will wish, I am sure, to join with me in sending a message 376 of sympathy to him and his family at this very worrying time. Until Sir John's return I know that the House can be confident of receiving their usual high standard of service from the Clerks of the Parliament Office.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, I join the noble Lord in sending our very best wishes to Sir John Sainty for a speedy recovery and an early return to the House.
§ Lord Jenkins of HillheadMy Lords, I endorse the sympathy and hope which have already been so well expressed.
§ Baroness StedmanMy Lords, we on these Benches wish to associate ourselves with those remarks and wish Sir John a very speedy return to health.
§ The Lord Bishop of LondonMy Lords, perhaps I may associate those on these Benches with what has been said and assure Sir John of our prayers for a speedy recovery.