Ashworth's Secretarial Bureau

HC Deb 17 December 1973 vol 866 cc947-9

44. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Lord President of the Council who is respon sible for the appointment of Ashworth's Secretarial Bureau and the conditions under which it works, and for the appointment of its successor.

Mr. Prior

A contract with the bureau is entered into by the Serjeant at Arms, acting under the direction of Mr. Speaker, who is advised by the Services Committee in these matters. In the past the outgoing owners have made arrangements for the transfer of business, but this has not been done on this occasion. Inquiries are therefore being pursued under the aegis of the Services Committee with assistance from the Civil Service Department.

Mr. King

The bureau has rendered invaluable service to hon. Members for more years than any Member can remember. Is my right hon. Friend taking energetic steps to ensure that a successor is appointed, because it would be wrong if no such service was available to the Palace of Westminster? If it is necessary, as it may well be, to improve the conditions, will my right hon. Friend ensure that they are improved?

Mr. Prior

I agree with my hon. Friend. The Services Committee is doing all it can to ensure that a successor is appointed, but it is not proving all that easy. There is a general shortage of secretarial staff in the London area and agencies are understandably cautious about taking on new commitments. However, I am hopeful.

Mr. Ford

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Ashworth's situation makes it even more urgent and important for hon. Members to be properly remunerated to enable them to employ adequate secretarial assistance? Will the right hon. Gentleman hurry his investigations into this matter?

Mr. Prior

A large number of people think that there is never an appropriate time to improve Members' secretarial or other allowances. But I am certain that today of all days is not the best day to consider the matter.

Dame Irene Ward

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, quite rightly, the House of Commons has spent I do not know how much money on providing accommodation for private Members' secretaries, with which we all agree, whereas the conditions for Ashworth's are such that it is no longer able to continue its service, which I very much regret? I am very annoyed about it.

Mr. Prior

I hate my hon. Friend to be annoyed about anything, and I will do my best to ensure that the successor to the present agency, if we are lucky enough to obtain one, receives the assistance which it requires.