Dear John ButcherJohn
May I thank you for all you have contributed to the Government since you first joined it eight years ago. You have always shown total dedication to the job in hand both at the Department of Trade and Industry and at Education. Your help was greatly valued when the West Midlands was faced with such significant problems. Your interest in and success in promoting industrial design has been of particular importance and you will of course be especially remembered as the first Minister to receive the bicentenary medal of the Royal Society of Arts for your contribution in this area.
With best wishes for the future,
Yours ever
Margaret. [end p1]
(2) Paul Channon MPDear Prime Minister,
It has been a great privilege to spend nearly 14 years in office, 3 of which have been as a member of your Cabinet serving as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and then as Secretary of State for Transport. I understand fully your desire to make changes now in your administration and so I offer you my resignation.
During my period in the House of Commons I have seen a long, slow decline in Britain's fortunes until your victory in 1979. The last 10 years have seen a transformation in the prospects for our country. I am proud to have played a modest part.
Throughout this period you have been unfailingly kind and generous to me at times of personal and political difficulty. I am very grateful.
I now look forward to supporting the Government with enthusiasm from the backbenches.
Yours ever,
Paul [end p2]
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your letter. It was characteristically considerate of you to put your Office at my disposal, to give others an opportunity to serve in Cabinet, and I am most grateful—as also for your intention to go on supporting the Government from the back-benches.
I should like to thank you most warmly for your unrivalled service, both in this Government and the Conservative Government of 1970-74. We shall very much miss your distinguished contribution over a very long period in office, first at the Civil Service Department and then as Minister for the Arts, and most recently in the Cabinet at Trade and Industry and at Transport. At both of these, you had to deal with an exceptionally large number of difficult issues, including the aftermath of several major disasters, in which your utter integrity and decency were of great importance in maintaining public confidence. At Transport, you have also brought forward far-reaching plans for future road building, which will be of great importance to our economic future.
Your kindness and willingness in government have been a byword. We think in particular of the way in which you took over the Department of Trade and Industry after Norman Tebbit was so badly injured by the Brighton bombing, and also of your own fortitude in the face of personal tragedy. [end p3]
May I add a special word of gratitude to Ingrid ChannonIngrid, whose support has been so important to you.
With every good wish,
Warm regards.
Yours ever
Margaret [end p4]
(3) John Lee MPDear Prime Minister
When we met at No 10 I indicated to you my desire to return to the back benches at the time of the next ‘reshuffle’. I explained that this would give me greater freedom to work for and promote my Pendle constituency which Ministerial office necessarily restricts and would also give me a little more time with my family—these thoughts having some weeks earlier been conveyed to the Chief Whip in a discussion I had with him.
As you know, I have thoroughly enjoyed my six years as a Minister—three years in Defence and now a similar period in Employment, primarily as Minister for Tourism where I have devoted my energies to raising the profile and quality of our increasingly important Tourism and Hospitality Industry; as a back bencher, I would hope to continue this work.
It has been a great privilege to have had the opportunity of Ministerially participating in your administration and I look forward to giving continuing support to the broad thrust of what we are trying to achieve.
Thank you also for the very many personal kindnesses shown to me by yourself and your office.
With kindest regards
Yours sincerely
John Lee [end p5]
Dear John LeeJohn,
When we spoke recently you indicated your wish to return to the backbenches, in particular to devote more time to your constituency. I understand your reasons though I am sad to see you leave the Government. You have been a staunch supporter of all we believe in.
May I thank you for the great contribution you made, first at the Ministry of Defence, a very special Department which you enjoyed tremendously; and then at the Department of Employment on the creation of enterprise and jobs, interests very close to your heart. Your work in promoting small businesses and tourism has been especially valued. You have laid an excellent foundation for the future.
I know I can count on your continuing support and the help you will provide from the backbenches. I send you every good wish for the future.
Warm regards.
Yours sincerely
Margaret Thatcher. [end p6]
(4) Lord LyellDear Lord Lyell
Thank you for your letter indicating your readiness to leave the Government.
May I thank you for all that you have contributed over the past fifteen years. You began as a Whip, first in Opposition, then for five years as a Lord-in-Waiting. For the past five years your work in Northern Ireland has been of very great value and I know highly appreciated by so many people in the Province. You have also successfully carried a substantial burden in the House of Lords, piloting through both primary legislation—most notably this session the Elected Authorities Act and the Fair Employment Bill—as well as the considerable volume of secondary legislation which falls to the Northern Ireland Office.
Work in Northern Ireland brings with it very special strains and you have sustained these with courage. With many thanks for all that you have done. I am sure that you will continue to support us with vigour, especially in Scotland.
Kind regards.
Yours sincerely
Margaret Thatcher [end p7]
Dear Prime Minister,
You were kind enough to mention to me when we spoke this morning that you wished to make a change in the Northern Ireland Office and to ask me to step down after five years and a half.
The last fifteen years have been some of the most rewarding periods of my career, on the Front Bench in Opposition, as a Lord-in-Waiting and as a Minister in Northern Ireland. The last five years will prove to have been momentous in its history and I have been lucky enough to make a contribution as a member of the Government.
I should wish to add my gratitude for your kindness to me in many ways and to express my admiration for all that you have done to change the direction of this country for the better during your time as Prime Minister. I shall hope to be able to continue in working to help you both in the House of Lords and in Scotland.
Yours sincerely,
Lyell. [end p8]
(5) John Moore MPMy Dear Margaret
I am writing on the occasion of my leaving the Government in order to place on record my sincere thanks for the opportunity I have had to serve from the very beginning of what has turned out to be a revolution in the economic and political life of Britain. At the start I think few of us realised how profound a transformation would be achieved.
I am grateful to have been able to participate in that transformation, as a Vice Chairman of the Party from 1975–79, then as a Minister throughout the whole of the dramatic decade 1979–1989, first in Energy, then at the Treasury, then as Secretary of State for Transport, then Secretary of State for the DHSS, and finally as Secretary of State for Social Security.
It has been a great privilege to be able to contribute, through these offices, to the achievements of our Government. These are too numerous to list, but chief among them must be the re-awakening of personal and national pride that has come about because of policies that released the energy and talents of the British people. I am proud to have played a part in this important work and will continue to support you and your Government in whatever way I am able to do so.
Yours ever
John [end p9]
Dear John MooreJohn
Thank you for your kind letter indicating your willingness to put your portfolio at my disposal. You have been part of our team for a long-time, first as a Vice-Chairman of our Party, then as a Minister, and we shall miss you very much.
May I thank you for all you have contributed to the Government over the past ten years. In whatever Department you have served, you have always sought to open up new approaches. Your contribution, at the Department of Energy, the Department of Transport and the Treasury, to the development of the privatisation programme was a crucial one in which you can take great pride. The British economy has been immeasurably strengthened by transfering so many enterprises to the private sector where they have flourished. The ideas which you helped to pioneer in this country are now being copied throughout the world. The extension of share ownership among employees and households is a major achievement to which you have contributed so much.
At the Department of Health and of Social Security you have always looked for long-term solutions which would enable us to give an even better service to the people of this country. [end p10]
The courtesy which you have always shown to your colleagues and to others has been greatly admired. I know, too, how important Sheila MooreSheila's constant support and encouragement have been in all your endeavours.
With many thanks for all you have done and every good wish for success in the future.
Warm regards.
Yours ever
Margaret. [end p11]
(6) Ian Stewart MPDear Prime Minister,
Reluctantly, I am writing to confirm my request to stand down if you should be making ministerial changes in the coming months.
It has been a great privilege to serve in your Government in a number of posts, and I was particularly glad to have the opportunity as Economic Secretary to introduce fundamental reform of the framework for the Building Societies, the Trustee Savings Banks and banking supervision.
The Government will of course continue to have my strong support, and although I shall leave [end p12] it with much regret, I am most grateful to you for having given me the chance to make some direct contribution to it at a crucial period.
With best wishes
Yours ever
Ian [end p13]
Dear Ian StewartIan,
Thank you for your letter letting me know that for health reasons you wished to leave the Government at an early but convenient moment. While your health must of course come first, I cannot conceal how much we shall miss you.
You have over many years made a most important contribution to our work, at Defence, at the Treasury and latterly in Northern Ireland. In all these posts your qualities of steadiness, wise judgement and leadership have been highly valued.
It has been characteristic of you to bear the pain and discomfort of your back uncomplainingly and to go on serving the Government so loyally and effectively. I am most grateful for all you have done, and for the intention which you express in your letter to go on supporting the Government from the back-benches. We all wish you a speedy recovery.
With every good wish,
Warm regards,
Yours ever
Margaret. [end p14]
(7) Peter Viggers MPDear Peter ViggersPeter,
I am writing to thank you most warmly for the contribution you have made to the Government as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office, with particular responsibility for Industry. Your time there has seen a major transformation in Northern Ireland's industrial situation, with the privatisation of Harland and Wolff's and Shorts. There has also been much new investment and I know how active you have been in seeking that. The prospects for industry and employment in Northern Ireland are very much better than when you first went there, and I am sure that will give you great satisfaction.
Finally I know that service in Northern Ireland carries an extra degree of stress; I am particularly grateful to you and your family for accepting that so cheerfully.
With every good wish and warm regards,
Yours ever
Margaret [end p15]
Dear Prime Minister,
I would like to thank you for the opportunity of serving in your Government during the last three years.
They have been years of significant achievement in the Northern Ireland economy. A mood of growing confidence has reflected significant industrial investment and a reduction in unemployment.
The Department's policy initiative in this period has been to encourage business to look outward to Europe, to be more resilient and self-supporting, and less reliant on Government subsidy.
Industrial training has been reorganised, there has been a new initiative on tourism and I had the interesting experience of carrying a major piece of legislation (The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Bill) through the House of Commons single handed.
There have been difficulties, not least in plotting the course for Shorts and for Harland and Wolff. In each case the stakes were high and the issue intensely controversial. I am confident that the planned privatisations will offer the prospect of an outstanding future for both companies.
I feel a deep sense of pride that I was able to serve in such a challenging role and at such an exciting time.
Thank you for entrusting the post to me.
Yours ever,
Peter. [end p16]
(8) Lord YoungDear Prime Minister,
It is now over ten years since I joined your team on the first day of your first term. Originally I had intended to give Keith Joseph just two years, but, under your leadership, you allowed me, supported always by able ministerial colleagues, to play a part in laying the foundations of the enterprise society.
I am grateful that, in the Manpower Services Commission and in the Department of Employment you gave me the opportunity to introduce new employment measures that have not only vastly reduced unemployment but, above all else, have seen the virtual end of youth unemployment. Together, through TVEI, we have seen the welcome return of vocational education in our schools.
My present department has now privatised its last nationalised industry. The ending of sponsorship, the new approach to innovation, the Enterprise Initiative itself, are making DTI a real department for Enterprise. Much remains to be done but, as I told you when we met some weeks ago, I think that the time has come when I could help you more out of Government. In these circumstances I would be grateful if you would allow me to retire from your Cabinet.
It has been a great privilege to be part of your team over the decade, nearly half in your Cabinet. You have accomplished a great deal in that time but we know that there is still a formidable agenda. I stand ready to serve you in any capacity to secure our objectives, foremost of which must be your fourth term.
Forever,
David. [end p17]
Dear David,
Thank you for your letter telling me of your wish to leave the Government to return to business life. I understand your reasons though I am extremely sad to see you go. Your contribution to rebuilding an enterprising and successful economy in this country has been immense.
You began this work as an adviser to Lord Joseph. I know how much he valued your support. Then as Chairman of the Manpower Services Commission and later as Secretary of State for Employment you brought about great changes in training and in help for the unemployed to get them back into work. The guarantee for young people on leaving school of a job or a high quality training place has, as you say, virtually eliminated unemployment among young people, and it has created, where none existed before, a proper transition between school and the world of work. The programmes of counselling for the long term unemployed have enabled long term unemployment to be brought down even faster than unemployment generally.
As Secretary of State for Trade and Industry you have continued to work for a competitive and enterprising economy and have transformed the way the Department goes about its work. All through your time in government, you have been a [end p18]
I will greatly miss the flair with which you have generated new ideas and your skill in projecting them and turning them into action. Above all, I will miss the loyal support which you have given to me at all times, and which I know will continue.
With every good wish for the future. We look forward to seeing you at Central Office as Deputy Chairman. Warm regards.
Your ever
Margaret [end p19]
(9) George Younger MPDear Margaret,
Following our conversation some time ago when I explained that I wished to become involved again in business, I am writing to confirm that I think that this is the sensible time to make the change, and to leave the Government. I will also be informing my Constituency Chairman in Ayr that I will not be standing for re-election but that I will continue to fulfil all my Parliamentary and Constituency duties for the rest of this Parliament.
I have been very privileged to serve in your Cabinet for over 10 years, both as Secretary of State for Scotland and as Secretary of State for Defence.
I greatly appreciate the unfailing support that you and our colleagues have given to me in my contribution to the work of the Cabinet, and it has been a genuine pleasure to have played a part in the enormously successful achievements of the Conservative Government since 1979.
I also wish to thank you for your many personal kindnesses.
I look forward to continuing to support you throughout the rest of this Parliament, and I will always be ready to help you in any way I can. With all good wishes for the years ahead.
Yours ever,
George. [end p20]
Dear George YoungerGeorge,
Thank you for your letter.
You first told me some weeks ago of your wish to return to the world of business and that you would like to do so at a convenient moment. I told you then how very sorry indeed I would be to lose you from the Government. You have been with us right from the beginning and the staunchest supporter of all that we believe in. Since then, you have indicated your intention not to stand for re-election in your constituency. They will, I know, be very sorry to lose you.
During your six years at the Scottish Office, you were responsible for implementing the Government's policies which have brought unprecedented prosperity to Scotland. As Defence Secretary, you have had the task of overseeing vital equipment decisions for our armed forces and you have implemented our decision to modernise Britain's independent nuclear deterrent with Trident. You have also been responsible for Britain's contribution to the very complex negotiations on nuclear, chemical and conventional weapons. Your judgement and expertise have been invaluable in this. Most of all, you have explained our defence policies clearly and convincingly to the British people, ensuring the widest possible support for them as was evident at the last Election. [end p21]
I thank you most warmly for your outstanding contribution to our success as a Government. We shall very much miss your calm and wise advice in Cabinet, where you have been such a considerate and staunch colleague; and I believe that your decision not to continue in the Commons will be a source of regret to your many friends in all parts of the House. But I know we can look to you for continuing support in all our endeavours.
May I add a particular word of gratitude to Diana YoungerDiana for her loyal support and understanding, which I know have been such an important part of your success.
With every good wish
Yours ever
Margaret.