LLOYD, (John) Selwyn Brooke (1904-1978). Speaker of the House of Commons.
Two Typewritten Letters Signed to Sir Ivone Kirkpatrick, 5 pages 4to, on Foreign Office writing paper, 25 February and 1 March 1957. A personal note of thanks for Kirkpatrick's help during the year and a formal acknowlegement of the diplomat's distinguished career on his retirement.

'... Since 1953, when you achieved the rare and well-deserved satisfaction of reaching the summit for your profession (as permanent under-secretary to the Foreign Office), my predecessors and I have greatly valued you as our principal adviser, and have had complete confidence in your unfailing loyalty and devotion to duty. Your powers of intellect, of judgement, and of exposition have been a source of solace and admiration both to us and to all those with whom you have worked. ...'

Selwyn Lloyd was at this time Foreign Secretary, a position he neither sought nor thought himself fit for. When appointed by Churchill, he declared '`I think there must be some mistake. I've never been to a foreign country, I don't speak any foreign languages, I don't like foreigners.' 'Young man', replied Churchill, 'these all seem to be positive advantages'.
[No: 21814]