§ * Mr. SPEAKERI will read to the House a letter I have received from Mr. Archibald Milman, whom I am sorry to call the late Clerk of the House. The letter is in these terms:
Speaker's Court,Palace of Westminster,16th January, 1902.Sir,I have the honour to acquaint you that I find myself compelled by prolonged illness to tender my resignation of the Office of Clerk of the House of Commons, which I hold, by Patent, from Her late Majesty.I am advised that my strength is quite unequal to the proper discharge of my duties through a laborious Session.I have been in the service of the House forty-five years, during the last thirty-one of which I have been at the Table.63It is with the deepest reluctance and regret that I am compelled to withdraw from this honourable service. It has formed the chief interest and greatest pleasure of my life. At the close of my long connection with the Table, I trust I may be permitted to express my grateful sense of the uniform support I have received from you, Sir, and your three predecessors in the Chair, and of the consideration accorded me by the honourable Members of the House through many Parliaments.I have the honour to be, Sir,Your obedient humble Servant,Archibald J. S. Milman.The Right Honourable,The Speaker of the House of Commons.This letter will, in accordance with the usual practice, be entered on the journals of the House.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I beg to give notice that, in accordance with ordinary practice under such circumstances, I shall on Monday move a vote of thanks to Mr. Archibald Milman, late Clerk of this House.
§ A Member took and subscribed the Oath.