HL Deb 17 March 1896 vol 38 cc1132-3
* THE EARL OF MORLEY (Chairman of Committees)

, in moving the adoption of the first Report from the Select Committee on the House of Lords Offices, said, that the first paragraph referred to the Office of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and to certain changes made in consequence of the death of Sir James Drummond, and the adoption of the recommendations of the Committee of 1889. The sub-Committee referred to in the paragraph had been re-appointed, and he hoped that the Report of the Committee of House of Lords Offices, embodying that Report, would be presented to the House before it rose for the Easter Recess. The second paragraph dealt with the House of Lords Estimate, and he thought he might take this opportunity of stating the result of the recommendations of the Committee of 1889. The recommendations of that Committee had been adopted as opportunities had occurred, with the result that the Estimates were £4,100 less than they were in 1889. Another recommendation referred to the Calendar of the Records of the House. For the last 25 years the calendaring had been carried on under the supervision of the Historical Manuscripts Commission, and it had been charged to the Vote of that Commission. The Treasury had suggested that the expense should be transferred to the House of Lords Votes, and the Committee were unanimously of opinion that it should not be charged to this Vote. Though the work was of antiquarian and historical interest, it had nothing to do with the judicial or legislative functions of the House. He moved the adoption of the Report.

Report agreed to.