10 DECEMBER 1965, Page 6

Mr: Speaker

The Chief Effect of Horace King Was keeping Members on a string. He bade a Secretary of State Confine himself to the Debate, And told Front Benchers that they ought To keep their Supplementaries short. One day he even tried to put A stop to Mr. Michael Foot.

All were kept firmly in their place, Yet with so rare and light a grace That those rebuked could scarcely find The heart to call his blows unkind. Grave Statesmen of the Utmost Fame Were taught to hold in awe his Name And murmur, as they cast their Votes, `The Speaker surely earns his Oats.'

CHRISTOPI Int HOLLIS