Church of England (General Synod) (Measures)
Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Bill [Lords]
8:29 pm

Mr Stuart Randall (Kingston upon Hull West)
I am pleased that the Measure has been accepted, and that the Committee is content with it. The link between the commissioners and the Synod through the House has been maintained in a most gracious way by the right hon. Member for Selby (Mr. Alison) during his term as Second Church Estates Commissioner. I have often thought that the right hon. Gentleman, with his red book, was like a Minister on the Back Benches. It is much more comfortable to operate from the Dispatch Box, as I did for eight and a half years. The right hon. Gentleman has fulfilled his role in a quite extraordinary way. I thank him, through you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, from the bottom of my heart—I know that all hon. Members share those sentiments—for the gracious way in which he has discharged that marvellous responsibility.
