§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD SANKEY)My Lords, I desire to inform your Lordships that the following letter has just been received by me from Sir Arthur Thring:—
§ "My dear Lord Chancellor,
§ "It is with great regret that, owing to a severe illness, I have been unable since last Christmas to attend to my duties in the House of Lords; and it is further with great regret that I have to ask your Lordship to announce to the House that the time has come for me to lay down the office of Clerk of the Parliaments. I have felt it right that, in accordance with precedent, this announcement should, in the first instance, be communicated to the House.
§ "I have had the honour to hold the office of Clerk of the Parliaments for over twelve years, and I would ask you to express to their Lordships my deep sense of the extreme consideration and kindness which I have invariably received from them, collectively and individually, the memory of which will always be to me a source or heartfelt gratitude and satisfaction.
§ "I have the honour to be,
§ "My dear Lord Chancellor,
§ "Your obedient servant,
§ "ARTHUR T. THRING."
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (LORD PARMOOR)My Lords, I beg to move that Sir Arthur Thring's letter, which the Lord Chancellor has communicated to the House, be considered to-morrow.
§ Moved accordingly and, on Question, 'Motion agreed to.
§ Letter ordered to lie on the Table and to be entered on the Journals.