vacancy in the Senate, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Premier the Hon. David Saul was expected to reveal the choice to the United Bermuda Party caucus today.

The choice of Mrs. Haycock appears to be part of Government's efforts to boost its sagging fortunes in the East End.

She has strong roots in the Old Town, first elected to the Corporation as a common councillor in 1988. The former managing director of the Peniston Brown Co. Ltd. outlet in St. George's, Mrs. Haycock is the daughter of former St.

George's North MP Mr. Eugene Meyer.

Since 1989, the UBP has lost both seats in St. George's North to the Opposition Progressive Labour Party. While holding both seats in St. George's South, it has seen its margin of victory shrink considerably.

Mrs. Haycock's selection will also boost to three the number of women Government Senators and mean that Senate President the Hon. Albert Jackson will preside over a table of ten other Senators with as many women as men.

Mrs. Haycock is the wife of Mr. Arthur Haycock, the president of Bermuda Home.

Dr. Saul's first new Senate appointment since becoming Premier is something of a surprise. Mrs. Haycock's name was not among those mentioned as a strong bet to fill the Senate vacancy left by the resignation of Mr. Gerald Simons.

Most recently, speculation had centred around businessman Mr. Raymond Davis, who prefers to be known as Mr. Khalid Abdul Wasi.

The Hon. Lynda Milligan-Whyte and the Hon. Yvette Swan have already been re-confirmed in the Senate and named to Cabinet, with Sen. Milligan-Whyte the new Government Leader there.

While no announcement has been made, both Sen. Gary Pitman and Sen. Lawrence Scott are expected to return to the Upper Chamber.

It is expected Sen. Pitman will step down soon as United Bermuda Party chairman.

Meanwhile, former UBP chairman Dr. James King and businessman Mr. David Lines are expected to be named UBP campaign co-chairmen for the next general election.

And as reported last month in The Royal Gazette , St. George's South MP Mrs.

Grace Bell is expected to be Government's nominee for Deputy Speaker when the House of Assembly reconvenes on November 3. She will succeed the Hon. Tim Smith, who has been named Environment Minister.

Mrs. Bell was only recently named Whip, but is expected to give that post up for Deputy Speaker, leaving the Government Whip post vacant.