HC Deb 19 February 1959 vol 600 cc549-51
Mr. Speaker

I desire to make a short personal statement on a matter which concerns the House.

I have decided, with regret, that I should not offer myself as a candidate at the next General Election. I have recently undergone a very thorough medical examination, and my advisers, in whom I have full confidence, tell me that I would be unwise to undertake the work of another Parliament. From what they say, however, I appear to be as sound in wind and limb as a man of my age has any right to expect. I am very thankful to recall that I have not hitherto missed a day in your service through illness since I was first elected Speaker.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

The infirmity of which I am personally conscious is a slight difficulty in hearing. I am aware that a certain degree of judicious deafness is not an unmixed evil in the occupant of this Chair, but I could wish that mine were sometimes more selective and less fortuitous. It adds somewhat, as hon. Members will appreciate, to the strain of performing my duties to the House.

This is not the time for speeches of farewell, or for me to try to express my gratitude to hon. Members on both sides of the House, and to the Officers and staff of the House. If the House will bear with me for the remainder of this Parliament, I hope that there may be a proper occasion for these things later. I intrude now upon the time of the House only because I thought it right that I should myself tell hon. Members of my decision before they learned of it from any other source.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I am sure that, as Leader of the House, I shall be voicing the views of the House in expressing great regret that you, Mr. Speaker, have found it necessary, for the reasons you have given, to make this statement. I am sure that I am expressing the views of the House generally in saying that we are very sorry to hear it, but are equally relieved that you will be able to continue your duties in the House until the end of this Parliament.

This is not an occasion for voicing farewells. You and I have had a word about this, and have examined the precedents, and it would appear that it would be wiser to leave that to a stage at the end of this Parliament. Therefore, it would be positively out of order for me to say more, but I should like you to know that your eye is as keen as ever, whatever your ear may be feeling. We greatly value your presence in the Chair and your continuance as our Speaker for the rest of this Parliament. With that I will leave to a later date the formal business of farewell and the other Motions which may be moved then, and thank you for your services to the House.

Mr. Gaitskell

As the Leader of the House has said, there will be another opportunity for us to express more formally our appreciation of your great services to the House, Mr. Speaker. But I would like to say, on behalf of my right hon. and hon. Friends and myself, how deeply we regret your decision not to stand for Parliament again, and particularly the reasons for it. We hope that, relieved of the heavy burden of your office, you will have many happy years of retirement, and we particularly appreciate your courtesy in informing us and the manner in which you did so.

Mr. Speaker

I am greatly obliged to the House, and to the two right hon. Gentlemen for what they have said.