My dear Margaret,
It is 15 years since you first appointed me to your Shadow Cabinet, and for over 10 years I have been running departments in your Government. It has been an immense privilege to serve with you and I will always be grateful for the opportunity that you have given me in the departments of Transport, Health and Social Security, and Employment. In that time a number of important changes have been made.
In Transport, the National Freight Corporation and the British Transport docks were denationalised and the coach services deregulated. In Health, patient services were improved, a record hospital building programme sustained, and a new system of general management introduced. At the same time, the social security system was reformed and personal pensions introduced. While in Employment, the dock labour scheme has been abolished and the crucial new Training and Enterprise Councils introduced.
As you know I have felt for some months that the time has come for me to leave the Government, but clearly I wanted to do so at a time which was convenient to you. I have a young family and for the next few years I should like to devote more time to them while they are still so young. [end p1]
My support for you and the Government remains entirely unchanged and I will do everything in my power to help in the winning of the next Election, which is crucial to this country. I intend to stay in the House of Commons and play an active part there contributing more widely to the discussion of political issues. I want to spend more time in the Midlands and I hope also to make a contribution in industry, which is of such importance to the continuing prosperity of this country.
Finally I would like to thank you for all your kindness and encouragement over the last 15 years.
Yours ever,
Norman. [end p2]
My dear Norman FowlerNorman,
Thank you for your letter indicating your wish to stand down from the Government. I am naturally very sorry to see you go, but understand your reasons for doing so, especially your wish to be able to spend more time with your family. I am delighted, of course, that you wish to remain in the House of Commons.
You joined our Front Bench team fifteen years' ago and have served in Cabinet for the past ten years in three Departments. That is a record to be proud of. Your achievements in that time have been substantial, for example the highly successful privatisation of the National Freight Corporation; the improvement of the management of the Health Service; and the most extensive reforms of the social security system since the war. I know you take great satisfaction, and deservedly so, in the rapid spread of personal pensions.
Most recently you have worked to set up the Training and Enterprise Councils, thereby giving employers a greater stake than ever before in the development of the country's manpower. You saw through most successfully the ending of the Dock Labour Scheme which has given fresh hope and opportunity to the old Scheme ports. [end p3]
To all these tasks you have brought great political skills, in particular an ability to communicate effectively both in Parliament and with the wider world.
Though your counsels will be missed in Cabinet, I know that from the back-benches you will continue to give magnificent service to the country, and to the Midlands in particular.
I am delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has approved that the honour of a knighthood be conferred upon you.
With every good wish for the future to you and Fiona,
Warm regards,
Yours ever
Margaret