§ Mr. SPEAKERI have to inform the House that I have received a letter from the Serjeant-at-Arms attending this House, which I propose to read. It is dated 13th April, 1915:—
§ "Sir,—I have the honour to make application that you will be pleased to sanction my retirement on 1st June next from my office by Patent of His Majesty's Serjeant-at-Arms attending the Speaker of the House of Commons. I have been in the service of this Honourable House for upwards of forty years, and I feel that the time has arrived when it is desirable that I should no longer retain my appointment.
§ I have the honour to be, Sir,
§ Your obedient servant,
§ H. D. ERSKINK,
§ Serjeant-at-Arms."
§ To the Right Hon. The Speaker,
§ House of Commons.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sure the House has heard with general and sincere regret, the letter which you, Sir, have just read, and on Tuesday next I will move a Resolution.