§ Mr. SpeakerI wish to make a brief statement.
I wish to express to the House my deep indebtedness for the tolerance and kindness shown to the Chair in the performance of its duties and my own gratitude to the Chairman of Ways and Means for his unfailing ability, loyalty and devotion, both to myself and to his high office.
As we near the end of this Parliament, I know that I express the unanimous will of the House in declaring our appreciation of the utter devotion of all who have served us—in reporting our proceedings in the House and its Committees, in attending to the enormous task of preparing and printing overnight the day's Order Papers, both for the House and its Committees; in housekeeping services under the Serjeant at Arms; in providing research and information in the Library; in providing communications between hon. Members; in providing hon. Members with all necessary papers; and, not unimportant, in providing both refreshment and sustenance for the House and its staff.
I would also express our sincere thanks to the Clerk, the rest of the Table and its associated Officers for unfailing courtesy and a constant readiness to help and advise us. We have been richly served and I thought it right to say so.