Three life peers created

Press, 14 June 1986, Page 8

Three life peers created

By

DENNIS HEALY

NZPA-PA London The outgoing chairman of British Coal, lan MacGregor, is knighted in Royal honours recommended by the British Prime Minister, Mrs Thatcher. The knighthood comes just over a year after the 12-month pit strike during which Sir lan was the target of intense bitterness from the miners’ union. The honour comes despite public differences which arose between Ministers and the Coal Board under Sir lan as the strike wore on. Sir lan, aged 73, has dual British and US nationality and so is eligible for a knighthood on the Birthday honours list. A peerage goes to

William Deedes, who has just retired as editor of the “Daily Telegraph.”

He is a friend of the Prime Minister’s husband, Denis Thatcher, and is the “Dear Bill” of spoof letters from Mr Thatcher in the magazine, “Private Eye.” William Deedes aged, 73, was formerly a Conservative member of Parliament and a junior Minister. He is one of three life peers created by Mrs Thatcher. Bonham Carter, the first chairman of the Race Relations Board, becomes a peer on the recommendation of the Liberal Party leader, David Steel. The third is Sir Philip Moore, who has just retired as private secretary

to the Queen. The list of 650 names ranges over the arts and show business, sport, local government, politics and — in Industry Year — business. There are 30 knighthoods, 98 C.B.E.S, 181 0.8.E.S and 288 M.B.E.S. The former Whitehall farce actor, Brian Rix, is knighted for his work with mentally handicapped people, especially as secretary general of Mencap. Virginia Wade, a former Wimbledon women’s tennis champion, recevies the 0.8. E. at the age of 40. She already has an M.B.E. An 0.8. E. also goes to the veteran comedian, Eric Sykes. The prima ballerina, Merle Park, head of the Royal Ballet School, is made a Dame.

The playwright, author and barrister John Mortimer, Q.C., creator of “Rumpole of the Bailey,” is awarded the C.B.E. . Two Members of Parliament arid the former Conservative leader of the Greater London Council are knighted — three of 46 political honours, 41 Conservative and five Liberal. The M.P.S are Marcus Fox, aged 59, who has been Conservative mem-

ber of Parliament for Shipley since 1970, and lan Lloyd, aged 65, member of Parliament for Havant, who first entered the Commons in 1964. Gordon Linacre, aged 65, deputy chairman and chief executive of United Newspapers, and a former chairman of the Press Association, is knighted for distinguished services to journalism.