nominated Dr. David Dyer as the next Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Dr. Dyer, 48, is to succeed the Hon. David Wilkinson, who served as Speaker since 1989 and has retired from politics.

If approved by the House on November 5, Dr. Dyer will become Bermuda's first black Speaker, its youngest since the introduction of the Constitution in 1968, and the first Speaker who did not first serve as Deputy Speaker.

A dentist who was first elected to represent Pembroke West in 1985, Dr. Dyer's approval is considered a formality.

"I appreciate the encouragement and the vote of trust that my colleagues have given me,'' Dr. Dyer told The Royal Gazette after a UBP caucus meeting yesterday.

Dr. Dyer is among the youngest Speakers this Century. The late Sir John Cox became was about six months younger when he became Speaker in 1948. He then held the post for the next 20 years.

Retired House Clerk Mr. John Gilbert said: "We've never had a Government whip take over as Speaker. It's extraordinary.'' Mr. Ernest DeCouto, who as Deputy Speaker was passed up for the Speaker's chair yesterday, expressed surprise. He said he would not continue as Deputy Speaker.

"Once you've served five years as Deputy Speaker, the next step is obvious -- to be the Speaker,'' he said. "If it didn't happen, it didn't happen.'' Mr.

DeCouto said he always went by the rules and rejected the suggestion he was not even-handed. "It's a break with tradition, but I wasn't expecting tradition to carry me.'' Presiding over a narrow 22-18 UBP majority that has only been paralleled in 1980, Dr. Dyer said he was prepared for the possibility of a stormy session.

"The public agenda has to be dealt with,'' he said. "They want to see a House that may have a rather close vote, but that will have a level of modesty and consideration for the feelings of one another.'' The Speaker must divorce himself from the party, so Dr. Dyer's appointment would reduce the Government majority to 21-18. The Deputy Speaker, who can only cast a vote in the event of a tie, is yet to be named. In 1980, the Government offered the Deputy Speaker's post to the Opposition, but the Progressive Labour Party refused.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade refused comment last night on Dr. Dyer's nomination. The PLP would consider the matter at its caucus meeting on Wednesday and "our position will be known when the House meets on the 5th of November,'' he said.

Dr. Dyer said he was especially proud to be Bermuda's first black Speaker.

"In Bermuda's history, it's a milestone. I hope that it will add a different dimension to the House.'' Also yesterday, Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman was acclaimed as Deputy Leader of the United Bermuda Party, which makes him Deputy Premier. His nomination was unopposed.

Mr. Pearman said he was honoured by the appointment.

As well as acting for Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan in his absence, the appointment would allow him to "deal more forcefully'' with issues in his own portfolio, he said.

Much of his work would involve removing the perception of "a glass ceiling'' for blacks and addressing the fact there were "more Bermudians who want to be included in the growth that's taken place and the projected growth for the future''.

Newcomer Mr. John Barritt was named Caucus Chairman and recently-appointed Senator Lawrence Scott was named Caucus Deputy Chairman. They succeed the retired Mr. Anthony Correia and Mrs. Grace Bell MP respectively.

There was no immediate word on Dr. Dyer's successor as Government Whip.