Letters to persons leaving the Government (Fox, Lester, Maude, Prentice, St John-Stevas)

(1) Marcus Fox MP

My dear Marcus FoxMarcus,

When we met earlier to-day you very kindly placed your portfolio at my disposal to enable others of our colleagues to experience work in a department as a Junior Minister. In accepting your generous offer may I thank you most warmly for the splendid work you have done while you have been at the Ministry of the Environment. I appreciate it and I know that Michael Heseltine is of the same mind. We both pay a glowing tribute to your service.

One of the most difficult things I have to do is to make changes even where things have been supremely well done. You own case is one such example of several I am making today. Thank you for your understanding, and I know that the Government can count on your support in every way.

Your ever

Margaret [end p1]

(2) Jim Lester MP

Dear James LesterJim,

When we spoke earlier to-day about the need to give more of our colleagues experience in government, you were very understanding and agreed to relinquish your own office for that purpose.

I should like to thank you very much indeed for the excellent work you have done while you have been with our Employment team. You have been a real asset to the Government [end p2] and to the departments. Jim Prior speaks with particular warmth of your work both in the Ministry and the House of Commons.

One of the most difficult aspects of my office is that I have to make changes even where things have been supremely well done. Your own case is one such example of several I am making to-day. Thank you for your generosity, co-operation and magnanimity.

Yours ever

Margart

[end p3] (3) Angus Maude MP

Dear Prime Minister,

As you know, I had indicated to you some time ago that when you wished to reconstruct your Administration I would be ready to facilitate this by making way for a younger man in the Cabinet.

As I understand that you are now ready to make some changes, I am therefore placing my resignation at your disposal.

It has been a great honour for me to serve in your Government, in the success of which I have complete confidence. It has also been a great personal pleasure to me to have worked so closely with you over the last six years.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

With all best wishes for the future,

Yours ever,

Angus.

[end p4]

My dear Angus MaudeAngus,

Thank you so much for your generous letter of 2 January.

In accepting your resignation, I want to thank you most warmly for all that you have done as a Member of the Cabinet and for the wise advice which you have always given to the Government.

We have worked together very closely for six years and I hope that you realise just how greatly I have valued your wisdom and experience.

I send to you and to Barbara MaudeBarbara my warmest good wishes for the future.

With renewed and very special thanks.

Yours ever

Margaret

[end p5] (4) Reg Prentice MP

My dear Margaret,

Some weeks ago I indicated to you that my health would no longer allow me to undertake, in the way that I would wish, the very heavy workload as Minister for Social Security, and I asked you to hear this in mind if you should decide to make a reconstruction of your Government.

As I explained, I have hypertension, diagnosed just over a year ago. It is controlled by medication but this has the effect of slowing me down—indeed it is meant to do so—and I cannot undertake the very long hours which one worked by most of my colleagues. I can still lead an active life in politics but I cannot, for instance, do all night sittings.

I am now placing my resignation in your hands.

It has been a great honour for me to have served in your administration for nearly two years.

I hope that, freed from the pressures of departmental responsibilities, I may continue to be of Final lines missing

[end p6]

My dear Reg PrenticeReg,

Thank you so much for your letter.

I was very sorry indeed to hear of the reasons which have made it necessary for you to resign as Minister for Social Security.

Despite your ill health over the past year, you have continued to carry out your heavy responsibilities, and I want to place on record my warm appreciation for all that you have done as a Minister and for the part you played in piloting the very important Social Security Act through the House, and for your marvellous and compassionate work for the disabled.

I am very pleased to hear that you will be able to continue to serve our Party outside the Administration, in ways for which you have very special qualifications.

I send you my very sincere thanks and all good wishes for the future.

Yours ever

Margaret

[end p7] (5) Norman St John-Stevas MP

Dear Prime Minister

I know that as we approach the end of our second year in Office you have it in mind to make some changes in your administration in order to give some of our colleagues the opportunity to gain wider ministerial experience. If it would help you in making these changes, I should of course be ready to place the offices I now hold at your disposal.

May I take this opportunity to say how much I have appreciated being a Member of your Government. I am particularly happy that as Leader of the House I was able to introduce the Parliamentary Reforms which initiated the new Select Committee System, the new Public Bill Procedure and the setting up of the Committee to examine how the House of Commons can better control the grant of finance and supply. I believe these Reforms will be of historic significance.

As Arts Minister it is a source of particular pride to have introduced the National Heritage Act, brought the Public Lending Right Act into force, and helped to set up the New Turner Gallery with the help of the Clore Foundation. I am grateful too for the opportunity I have had to obtain a reasonable public financial settlement for the Arts in difficult times and to have launched the campaign for increased business sponsorship of the Arts.

I shall naturally continue to support the Government and the Conservative cause in whatever way I can.

Yours sincerely

Norman St. John-Stevas [end p8]

Dear Norman St John-StevasNorman,

Thank you for your letter of earlier today.

It was characteristic of you to write in this understanding way. I believe that we have now reached the point in the life of the administration where it would be right for me to give some of our colleagues new responsibilities. I should therefore like to take up your offer to put your offices at my disposal and to accept your resignation as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and as Minister responsible for Arts and Libraries.

May I thank you very warmly for all you have done for the Government as a whole and for me personally since we came into office. Your achievement in steering through the House of Commons the formidable programme of legislation which we introduced during the last Session was outstanding, and we are all in your debt. You have accomplished much for the world of the arts, and your contribution there will be long remembered.

I know that the Government can continue to count on your wholehearted support as we tackle the problems that lie ahead.

Yours ever,

Margaret.