Dear Prime Minister, A year ago I advised you of my wish to return to private life after the next General Election. Now that I have completed a number of immediate tasks following the Falklands campaign and we have published our White Paper, I am sure it is best for the Government and our Armed Forces that my successor should now be appointed to lead the Ministry of D efence in the period up to the next general election and beyond.
I leave the Cabinet and your Government with regret. I have greatly enjoyed working with you and am grateful for the many personal kindnesses you have extended to me. The past two years have been the most stimulating and eventful of my political life. I am proud to have served as Secretary of State for Defence during the period of the Falklands campaign which showed the great professionalism and qualities of our Armed Forces; I believe too that the difficult and often painful decisions we have taken on the defence programme leave our forces better structured to provide for our national security over the coming years.
Under your resolute leadership we have achieved a great deal. A more positive assertion of our national interests has encouraged a greater sense of national self-confidence after several decades of doubt and introspection; attitudes have changed in many areas of our national life and ordinary people no longer believe that there are easy ec onomic options.
I wish the Government every success in the future and I am sure that our policies will be resoundingly endorsed by the nation at the next General Election.
Yours ever,
John.
[end p1]My dear John NottJohn
Thank you for your letter of 5th January.
As you know, it was with great regret that I received your resignation, and your decision to leave the House of Commons at the end of this Parliament.
You have had a most distinguished career in the House of Commons and I want to thank you most warmly for all that you have done, first as Secretary of State for Trade and, during the past two years as Secretary of State for Defence.
Those years have been particularly arduous. You carried through a major review of our defence policy; throughout the Falklands campaign you gave leadership of the highest quality and earned the admiration and respect of your colleagues and of the Task Force.
I have enjoyed working with you in the Cabinet over these past three and a half years. You have brought to our deliberations an incisive mind and we shall miss your constructive and stimulating approach to the problems which face us.
Your special qualities and the experience which you have gained in three major Departments will enable you to render further service in whatever sphere you choose.
I send you my very best wishes for the future.
Yours ever
Margaret
[end p2] (2) Neil Marten MPMy dear Margaret,
You may remember that last year I suggested to you that as I was not standing for election at the next General Election, you should replace me as Minister for Overseas Development by someone who is standing again.
I understand you might be considering a re-shuffle and I want to repeat that suggestion in it seems only prudent to appoint sometime how who will be available for your next government.
On the basis that you agree with my suggestion when I take the opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed my 3½ year in your administrative. The job which I have had to do has been a fascinating one—very worthwhile, particularly in view of its close connection with the Commonwealth.
I should also like to pay tribute to the excellence of the officials with whom I have worked. With my best wishes, Yours ever Neil [end p3]
My dear Neil MartenNeil,
Thank you for your letterof 1st January.
It is characteristic of you to have written in such generous terms.
In accepting your resignation, I would like to thank you for all that you have done during more than three and a half years as Minister for Overseas Development.
Ever since we entered Parliament together in 1959, you have taken a special interest in the Commonwealth and I am glad to pay tribute to all that you have been able to achieve in the important post of Minister with responsibility for our aid programme which has been designed particularly to benefit Commonwealth countries.
I send you my very best wishes for the future.
Yours ever
Margaret
[end p4] (3) Lord TrenchardDear Prime Minister,
I understand that you are considering Ministerial changes.
You have told me that you do not believe that you would be able to offer me a more significant post after the next Election. Accordingly and for reasons of personal convenience, I would rather leave the Government now.
I gather that this is acceptable to you and I accordingly tender my resignation.
I found my two Government jobs interesting and challenging and I have enjoyed being a member of your Administration. I shall, of course, continue to support the Government and I am sure that you and your team will win the next Election. Yours sincerely, Tom Trenchard. [end p5]
Dear Viscount TrenchardTom
Thank you for your letter of 6 January. You have indeed said to me that it would suit you if you could relinquish your post at this stage.
I want to thank you for the enormous contribution you have been able to make in both the Department of Industry and in the Ministry of Defence as well as in your capacity as a front bench spokesman in the House of Lords. The Government has been fortunate in having the benefit of your industrial experience and knowledge and I have been grateful for the advice which you have given to me personally.
I send you my warm thanks for your service to the Government and my best wishes for the future. Yours sincerely Margaret.