Letter from [Arthur] Neville Chamberlain (Highfield Park, Heckfield, Basingstoke [Hampshire]) to WSC, stating that for the past ten years he had been Chairman of the Conservative Research Department (independent of Party Headquarters), which had been set up under his chairmanship by the Business Committee following defeat in the 1929 Election. Chamberlain explains that his experience as Chairman and also Party Leader convinced him that the Party should never be without such an organization. He had closed it down for the duration of the war, but feels that the framework should be kept ready to start again when required. Chamberlain explains that in the circumstances he could no longer stay on as Chairman, and asks WSC to accept his resignation, while noting that he didn't imagine WSC would want to become Chairman himself at the present time. He adds that he thought it important that someone should be appointed now, who should be a senior Cabinet Minister with keen political insight, and suggests Sir Kingsley Wood [Chancellor of the Exchequer] as being most suitable. In a postscript, Chamberlain tells WSC that his thoughts were constantly with him, and hopes that he was taking care of his own health. Signed typescript.