§ Order of the Day read for the consideration of the Fourth Report from the House of Lords Offices Committee.
§ The Committee reported inter alia—
§ 1. APPOINTMENT OF AN ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN.
§ The Marquess of Crewe stated that the Library Committee, after careful consideration of the matter, had come to the conclusion that it was necessary to appoint an Assistant Librarian, and recommended the appointment of Mr. Geoffrey Gathorne-Hardy, M.C., to the post.
§ The Committee accordingly recommend that Mr. Geoffrey Gathorne-Hardy be appointed 633 Assistant Librarian as from Monday, the 17th of July, at a salary commencing at £300 per annum, rising by annual increments of £20 a year to a maximum of £500.
§ 2. REFRESHMENT ROOM.
§ The Lord Great Chamberlain reported that the Refreshment Committee had met on Wednesday, the 5th of July, to consider the proposal of the Controller of the London Telephone Service to make a charge for the telephone used in the Refreshment Department,
§ They had instructed the Clerk of the Parliaments to write to the Controller expressing the opinion of the Committee that no ease was made out for making the charge.
§ The Lord Great Chamberlain also stated that the appeal to Peers for contributions towards the sum of £250 to take the place of the subsidy for the Refreshment Department which had been discontinued at the instance of the Treasury, had already produced a sum of £220 10s. He hoped that the balance of £23 10s. would be made up before the end of the year by Peers who had not already subscribed.
§ The Committee agreed to this Report and in bringing the result of the appeal to the notice of Peers they wish to take the opportunity of thanking those who have already responded to their appeal.
§ 4. PRESERVATION OF BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY AND ACCOMMODATION FOR STKANOERS DURING THE JUDICIAL, SITTINGS OF THF. HOUSE.
§ The Earl of Donoughmore drew the attention of the Committee to a letter which he had received from the First Commissioner of Works, suggesting:—
- (1) That the Librarians of the two Houses should meet and consider the possibility of selling or otherwise disposing of duplicate books, etc., in the two Libraries, in order to save as far as possible the expense of the provision of more book shelves; and
- (2) That accommodation should be provided in the Peers' Lobby during the Judicial sittings of the House for the convenience of Counsel and Parties.
§ The Committee approved of both these suggestions and expressed their gratitude to the First Commissioner of Works.
§ 5. ANNUAL ACCOUNT OF THE FEE FUND.
§ The Account of the Fee Fund of the House of Lords for the year ended the 31st of March, 1922, was laid before the Committee.
§ Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.