§ Mr. SpeakerI have to inform the House that I have received the following letter from the Serjeant at Arms:
§ "Sir,
§ I have the honour to make application that you will be pleased to sanction my retirement on 31st December, 1956, from my office by patent of Her Majesty's Serjeant at Arms attending the Speaker of the House of Commons.
§ I have been in the service of this honourable House for over 21 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,
§ Charles Howard,
§ (Serjeant at Arms)."
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)I am sure that the House has heard with sincere regret the letter which you, Sir, have read. When the House resumes in the New Year, I will move a Motion expressing the appreciation of this House to Brigadier Sir Charles Howard for his services as Serjeant at 1608 Arms. I hope the fact that I do not move that Motion today will in no way detract from the very warm feelings we all have in regard to the Serjeant at Arms and to his eminent services in the past. The fact that I am moving it when we resume is according to precedent.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsOn behalf of my hon. and right hon. Friends, may I associate myself with what the Leader of the House has said? There will be a further opportunity—I hope in a full House—to pay tribute to the Serjeant at Arms.