HC Deb 18 July 1949 vol 467 cc972-4
The Prime Minister

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I desire to make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has for many years suffered from a digestive ailment, which has at times necessitated special treatment at a clinic at Zurich. The doctors there have a special knowledge of his case and advise from time to time on treatment which he receives in this country. His medical advisers some time ago decided that a course of some weeks special treatment at the Zurich clinic was necessary, and that only by going there could he get a quick recovery.

My right hon. and learned Friend has, however, been anxious to complete his dealing with the pressing economic and financial problems which are now facing us, and to conclude the first stage of the necessary consultations with other Governments. These are now almost complete, and in the opinion of his medical advisers it has become essential that treatment should no longer be postponed, especially if it is to be completed satisfactorily in time to enable him to visit Washington to take part, in company with the Foreign Secretary, in the projected Ministerial discussions there.

As the House is aware, the foreign exchange for visits to Switzerland for health reasons is controlled by my right hon. and learned Friend with the help of a Medical Advisory Committee. The Chancellor of the Exchequer considered that it would be improper for him to decide his own case, and he therefore placed all the facts before me. I have decided that, in view of the need for ensuring as far as possible a quick recovery, it was right that the foreign exchange should be provided. My right hon. and learned Friend expects to leave in the course of this week.

I am sure that the House will wish to join with me in expressing the hope that the treatment will be successful, and that his restoration to health will be speedy, so that at the end of next month he will be able to take up again his onerous task. During his absence, I shall myself be in charge of the Treasury, and shall supervise the carrying on of the general policy which my right hon. and learned Friend outlined to the House last Thursday. I shall be assisted by my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Fuel and Power, as well as by the Financial and Economic Secretaries of the Treasury.

Mr. Eden

I am sure that all have heard with very sincere regret the news of the Chancellor's illness. Although some of us may be politically opposed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that does not prevent us from understanding how very severe must be the strain at a time like this on anyone holding so responsible an office. I merely conclude by expressing my own—and I am sure my colleagues'—very best wishes and hopes that, as a result of this, as I think very proper, course which has been taken, the Chancellor will soon be restored to full health.

Mr. Clement Davies

May I join with the right hon. Gentleman and say that, whatever our political views, there is no one of us who does not admire and respect the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his unselfish devotion to public service? May I join with the Prime Minister in wishing him a full and speedy recovery?