LONDON (AP):

The beast of the Book of Revelation intruded into the banter of the House of Commons, yesterday, when a motion calling for the disestablishment of the Church of England was numbered 666.

The last book of the Bible says that 666 is the number of a beast that "had two horns like a lamb, and ... spake as a dragon,'' and that "doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.''

''It is incredible that a motion like this should have, by chance, acquired this significant number,'' said Bob Russell, a Liberal Democrat member of the house.