§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD MOYNE)My Lords, since we last met the House has suffered a heavy loss in the death of Lord Cadman. A mining engineer by profession, he was possessed of very great scientific knowledge of his subject, especially of petroleum technology. After varied experiences on the practical side of these problems, first as manager and then as an inspector of coal mines, he became a leading international authority on petroleum, and he had a very great part in the development of the great oil fields in the Middle-East. All his life he retained his scientific and academic interests, and he was, indeed, for twelve years a professor in Birmingham University. When he gave up academic life and took up more active business interests, he retained his position as the trusted adviser of the Government on all questions of petroleum and its development, and he undoubtedly performed the very greatest services to this country in this matter, which, as our war experience has taught us all, is of such vital interest. The House will, I am sure, desire to express sympathy with Lady Cadman and his son.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, my noble friend Lord Addison has asked me to say how much he regrets being unable to be present in person this afternoon, owing to an attack of influenza. Lord Cadman worked with him at the Ministry of Munitions during the last war and he wishes me to say how much he appreciated the wise advice and valuable assistance rendered by Lord Cadman at that time and how greatly he deplores—associating himself with what the noble Lord has said—the loss to the nation at such a critical moment of so distinguished a scientist and business man.
THE MARQUESS OF CREWEMy Lords, I desire to add a word to what has already been said about Lord Cadman. He was an outstanding figure in the subjects to which he devoted the greater part of his life and he attained, as the noble Lord opposite has said, an international reputation in that regard. It happened that in the last war I was associated with him in an inquiry that took place as to the possibility of utilising our mineral resources in the production of oil and petroleum, and I well remember how deeply I was impressed not merely by his knowledge of the subject but by the broad manner in which he was able to survey the question. I therefore, on behalf of my noble friends who sit here, join to the utmost in the sympathy which I trust will be conveyed to Lady Cadman and his family.
§ VISCOUNT CECIL OF CHELWOODMy Lords, if you will allow me I should like to add one word on behalf of the University of Birmingham. Lord Cadman, as the noble Lord opposite reminded us, was for some years a professor in that university, and achieved a very great reputation there, as he did elsewhere. I am sure the university would wish me to join in expressing warm adherence to everything that has fallen from the noble Lord.
§ THE MINISTER OF FOOD (LORD WOOLTON)My Lords, I hope you will allow me to add a few words to what has been said because I had the great privilege of friendship with John Cadman. I believe that it was in that simple relationship that the secret of his great power lay. He had almost a genius for friendship. He was so modest, so humble in the estimation of his own powers that he sought the solution of the profound problems with which he was so often faced in the simplicity of the approach that he made to them. Whether he was dealing with the great potentates with whom his business brought him into contact, or with working men or with witnesses before a Commission, he remained always simple and unaffected, having no other interest than the serving of truth and the general good.
I was privileged to serve under him a very few years ago in an inquiry that was submitted" to us by the Government of 343 the time, as a matter of great urgency. It was characteristic of Lord Cadman's leadership that those of us who were associated with him put aside two months of our time to deal with this problem. We met at the Treasury very soon after nine o'clock in the morning and we remained there until eight o'clock at night, only adjourning in order that we might meet again to pursue the problem after dinner. But such were the qualities of leadership of Lord Cadman as Chairman that those who were associated with him were only conscious of the exhilaration of the achievement of a piece of constructive work and not of the fatigue that such labours entailed. It was immediately after this inquiry into the problems of aviation that Lord Cadman's health began to fail, and I have no doubt as to the reasons for it. He was, my Lords, a man who was great in his simplicity. He rendered eminent service to the State. He came to your Lordships' House as an industrialist whose service to his country had been so great as to move His Majesty to ennoble him. I am sure his son will carry on his traditions, and his life will remain an inspiration to those of us who with affection and with gratitude will seek to follow his example.