§ Mr. SpeakerI have received a letter which I place before the House:
My Dear Mr. Speaker,As you are aware, it seemed to me that the end of the Session was the appropriate time for me to ask to be released from my office of Chairman of Ways and Means, and to tender my resignation to the House.It has been a great honour to have served the House in this capacity for the last two and a half years.In tendering my resignation I should like to record my warmest thanks to you personally, to the Clerks of the Table, and to the Officials of the House, for the unfailing assistance and co-operation I have received in enabling me to discharge my duties.Yours very sincerely,Eric Fletcher.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Fred Peart)I know that I speak for the whole House when I say how sorry we are that my right hon. Friend has given up his office of Chairman of Ways and Means. The appointment which he has vacated is a demanding one, but throughout the time that he has held it he has earned our gratitude by his tolerant, firm but friendly contribution to the handing of our affairs.