25 JANUARY 1975, Page 7

Personal column

Toby O'Brien

Now that the new session in Parliament has started the person I am most sorry for is my old friend, Mr Speaker, Selwyn Lloyd. By all accounts, from my parliamentary friends, he has proved to be one of the best Speakers for many many years. Personally I cannot think why he took the job on. Indeed, he was staying With my wife and myself six weeks before he became Mr Speaker and I asked him whether there was any truth in the story of his taking on th_is appalling job. He said to me at that time, Good God, no, Toby. Imagine having to sit up for hours and hours on end listening to boring speeches delivered by boring people which you

could have delivered far more boringly yourself."