THE HOUSE of Representatives has hailed Derrick Smith for his service to the Parliament.

The 64-year-old Smith, who has been lamed by ill health following a bout of diabetes which has threatened one of his legs, resigned as leader of government business in the House on Monday.

Derrick Kellier, leader of opposition business, said Smith was a good servant in the chair he once occupied on the government's front bench.

"I know we will see him around, but I want it to be on the records that the Opposition wants to wish him well because we worked well with him," Kellier said.

Smith also resigned as minister of mining and telecommunication in the Bruce Golding administration.

Andrew Holness, the man who has replaced him as the House leader, said that Smith "was a great tower of strength for many of us inside here".

"I am sure that all members of the House wish him well in his fight for recovery," Holness said.

Smith was also the shadow national security minister and took up that job as minister after the Jamaica Labour Party won the 2007 general election.

However, after 14 weeks in the job of national security minister Smith was relieved of his portfolio and reassigned mining and telecommunications even as he was forced to intensify the fight against the disease that has reduced him to a limp.