§ Mr. SpeakerI now have to read out a letter I have received with regret from the Manor House Hospital, Golders Green:
§ "Dear Mr. Speaker,
§ I regret that, owing to illness, I will not be able to resume my duties as Deputy-Chairman of Ways and Means when the House reassembles. Because of this I feel I must ask the House to accept my resignation from this office. I feel I cannot retire without expressing my personal sense of indebtedness and thankfulness for the many kindnesses shown to me by you, Sir, and by all the officers of the House with whom I have been so happily associated, and to members of all parties for their unfailing helpfulness and goodwill. The three and a half years since the Prime Minister so greatly honoured me by nomination for this office have been years of happy service to the House.
§ I am, my dear Mr. Speaker,
§ Yours very sincerely,
§ HUBERT BEAUMONT.'
§ I am sure every member of the House will share the regret I have expressed, and trust that the hon. Gentleman will soon be restored to health and strength.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)I am sure the House will agree with me in regretting the resignation of the hon. for Batley and Morley (Mr. Hubert Beaumont), and also the cause of it, and will hope that he will soon be restored to health. Later in the week I shall propose a Motion to appoint another member as Deputy-Chairman.
§ Mr. Eden (Warwick and Leamington)I should like to associate myself and my hon. and right hon. Friends with what 3 the Prime Minister has said. I do not think the House has ever had a more sympathetic Deputy-Chairman of Ways and Means, and we deeply regret the cause of his resignation and hope it will soon be remedied.
§ Mr. Clement Davies (Montgomery)I should like to associate myself and my colleagues with what has been said. We all have the greatest respect and admiration for Mr. Beaumont, and we deeply regret his illness.