§
MR. SPEAKER acquainted the House that he had received a letter from Sir Victor Le Fanu, the Serjeant at Arms, which Mr. Speaker read as follows:
I have the honour to make application that you will be pleased to sanction my retirement on 30th September, 1989 from my office by patent of Her Majesty's Serjeant at Arms attending the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Being in my sixty fifth year, and in my forty seventh year of consecutive service in the Army and in the service of the House of Commons, I think that the time has come for me to make room for a successor.
I wish to record my deep appreciation of the kindness and consideration shown to me by all Members of the House of Commons, which has made my term of office here so happy and rewarding.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Wakeham)Mr. Speaker, I am certain all hon. Members will share my sincere regret at hearing the letter you have just read out. The occasion for us to express formally our thanks and appreciation to Sir Victor Le Fanu for his long service to the House will arise later, when I shall move an appropriate motion. That I am not doing so today is in line with precedent and does not detract in any way from the very high regard in which I know Sir Victor is held on both sides of the House for his long and distinguished service.
§ Mr. Frank Dobson (Holborn and St. Pancras)On behalf of the Opposition, I join in the expressions of thanks to Sir Victor for his work for us as Serjeant at Arms. Sometimes criticisms are directed at the Serjeant at Arms and his staff, but usually we find that that is because they have been expected to provide a quart out of a pint pot. I have undying admiration for Sir Victor's unwillingness, when challenged by Members, to reply, "If you want a better service you had better vote for it and pay for it." I thank Sir Victor for his work, and I thank him too for his diplomacy.
§ Mr. Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire)May I associate right hon. and hon. Members of my party with the remarks that have been made about the Serjeant at Arms. He has always been most courteous in his dealings with hon. Members. Nothing has ever been too much trouble for him in any dealings I have had with him. He has earned respect on all sides of the House. If I may say so, in spite of the additional strains that we all now have to suffer as a result of increased security, he has prevailed and has always done sterling service for everyone in the House. We look forward to contributing more fully to the tributes at the appropriate time.
§ Mr. SpeakerThere will be an occasion to pay formal tributes in due course. Meanwhile, consultations on the recommendation for a successor to Sir Victor Le Fanu are taking place through the House of Commons Commission.