HL Deb 14 December 1967 vol 287 cc1252-5

3.25 p.m.

THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD MERTHYR)

My Lords, on behalf of the Lord Chairman, who is unwell, I beg to move that the First Report from the Select Committee, be now considered.

Moved accordingly and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

The Committee's Report was as follows:

1. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEES (a) The Administration Committee was appointed as follows:

with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords. (b) Library. The Sub-Committee on the Library was appointed as follows:

with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint its own Chairman. (c) Refreshment Department.

with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint its own Chairman. (d) House of Lords' Estimates.

with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

2. TELEVISION

The Committee sanctioned the hiring of a colour television set.

3. PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE AND LIBRARY

The Committee were informed by the Clerk of the Parliaments of certain developments in regard to the staffing of the Parliament Office, and noted:

  1. (a) the temporary appointment, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor, of Mr. E. D. Graham, Principal Clerk of Private Bills as Reading Clerk, in the place of Mr. P. G. Henderson during the latter's absence;
  2. (b) the appointment, on secondment, of Mr. D. Dewar, a Senior Clerk, as Secretary to the Leader of the House and Government Chief Whip, in the place of Mr. M. A. J. Wheeler-Booth, who would remain seconded while acting as Special Assistant to the Leader of the House.

The Committee authorised:

  1. (i) the purchase of a court dress uniform for use by Mr. Graham during his temporary appointment as Reading Clerk;
  2. (ii) the recruitment of a new Clerk and the consequent eventual increase to fourteen in the total complement of Clerks in the Parliament Office;
  3. (iii) the future complement (to be brought gradually into effect) of one Senior Personal Secretary and six Personal Secretaries, in substitution for five Personal Assistants, one Senior Official Assistant and one Office Assistant;
  4. (iv) the appointment of an additional Office Assistant in the Printed Paper Office;
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  5. (v) the payment of an allowance to the Senior Office Assistant in the Lord Chairman's Department with effect from the 2nd November, 1967;
  6. (vi) the regrading to Record Office Assistant of the post of Paperkeeper in the Library.

4. REVISED SCALES OF PAY

The Committee authorised the revised scale of salary under E.C. No. 35/65—Central Pay Increase to the Assistant Librarian and the Assistant Clerks of the Records with effect from 1st July, 1966.

The Committee confirmed the application authorised by the Lord Chairman and the Clerk of the Parliaments, of D.E.O. (67) (Pay) No. 23 dated 21st August, 1967 "Women Cleaners—revised rates of pay" to the Housemaids with effect from 1st July, 1966.

The Committee sanctioned a consequential revision of the gratuity awarded to Mrs. D. E. Sadd.

5. HANSARD REPORTING STAFF

The Committee reviewed the agreement with Haynes Secretarial Services for the supply of typists for the reporting of debates and approved an increase in their charges with effect from 3rd July, 1967.

6. DOORKEEPERS

The Committee approved an increase in the allowance on appointment towards the cost of the purchase of dress clothes accessories and also in the annual allowance for upkeep of dress clothes with effect from 1st September, 1967.

7. DEPARTMENT OF THE LORD GREAT CHAMBERLAIN AND SERJEANT-AT-ARMS

The Committee authorised retrospectively the employment of a temporary assistant in the office of the Lord Great Chamberlain for duties in connection with the last State Opening of Parliament.

8. PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

The Committee sanctioned the payment of the charges for one Police Constable for duty in the Chamber of the House of Lords to control unaccompanied parties on days during Recesses when the Palace of Westminster is not open to the Public.

9. LATE-NIGHT TRANSPORT

The Committee were informed of the arrangements for the transport of essential members of the staff of the House of Lords when the House sits late after public transport has ceased. The Committee authorised the payment of the cost of late-night transport.

10 ESTIMATES

The Estimate for the House of Lords for 1968–69 was laid before the Committee and approved.

11. SUPERANNUATION

The Committee sanctioned the payment of a Gratuity under S.4(1) Superannuation Act 1965 to the legal personal representative of the late George Louis Adby, a Senior Office Assistant, who died on 15th September, 1967 and a Widow's Pension.

LORD MERTHYR

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be now agreed to. If there are any points upon which any noble Lord desires further information I will do my best to answer his questions, but I do not myself think that there are any special points to which the attention of the House ought to be drawn. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Report be agreed to.—(Lord Merthyr.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.