Chairman to attend Lord Biffen memorial service

Brian Gillow, Chairman of Shropshire County Council, is to represent the council at a memorial service for the late Lord Biffen, which is being held in London next week.

The service is being held on Tuesday 19 February at St Margaret's church, Westminster, starting at 12 noon.

John Biffen served as MP for the Oswestry constituency (later renamed North Shropshire) from 1961 to 1997, and was a leading member of the House of Commons during Margaret Thatcher’s reign as Prime Minister.

He was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 1979 and later served as Secretary of State for Trade and Leader of the House of Commons. In 1997 he was made an honorary peer.

He passed away last August at the age of 76.

Councillor Gillow said: “John Biffen was a great servant to the county and people of Shropshire for many years and it is a great honour for me to represent Shropshire County Council at his memorial service.

“I look forward to joining his friends, relatives and colleagues to remember his extraordinary political career.”

14 February 2008