§ Order of the Day read for the consideration of the Second Report from the Select Committee.
§ The Committee reported inter alia:—
§ 1. REFRESHMENT DEPARTMENT.
§ The Lord Great Chamberlain, as Chairman of the Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department, stated that the Refreshment Committee had met twice, and considered the difficulty occasioned by the withdrawal of the £500 subsidy for the Refreshment Department. He informed the Committee—
- (i) That in the opinion of the Refreshment Committee the maintenance of the Refreshment Department was an absolute necessity.
- (ii) That the present arrangements could be continued if a sum of £250 could be found to take the place of the present subsidy of £500.
- (iii) That in the opinion of the Committee this was the best course to pursue, and that the sum should be raised by asking all Peers to contribute some small sum, say, either 10s. or £1, for the purpose.
§ The Committee authorised the sending of a circular letter to all Peers asking for such a contribution.
§ 2. APPOINTMENT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
§
The following Report from the Sub-Committee appointed by the House of Lords Offices Committee to consider the appointment to the post of Librarian in the House of Lords was laid before the Committee and was considered by the Committee:—
Meetings of the Sub-Committee were held on Monday, February 20, and on Tuesday, February 28, 1922.
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There were present at each meeting the Marquess of Crewe, the Viscount Haldane, and the Viscount Ullswater.
The Clerk of the Parliaments was in attendance upon the Committee.
Numerous applications (Lorty in all) for the post of Librarian were considered by the Sub-Committee.
After considering these applications your Sub-Committee felt some doubt as to the qualifications to which most weight should be given in choosing a Librarian.
Should preference be given to the possession of a distinguished literary reputation which should prove an attraction to the Library, even though there was no systematic library experience; or should preference be given to aptitude for the purely administrative work of the Library and to experience as a Librarian, unaccompanied by any specially distinguished literary achievements, but accompanied, of course, with literary ability and interest.
Your Sub-Committee feel that the Offices Committee should itself decide between these two distinct classes of qualifications, and, out of the forty applicants, the Chairman will submit to the Committee two names, one of a person possessing the former class of qualification, and the other of a person possessing the latter class of qualification.
This course will enable the Committee to make an appointment in accordance with their decision on the class of qualification they prefer.
A suggestion has been made to us that the Offices Committee should appoint a small Library Committee of Peers, to whom any questions relating to the general improvement and management of the Library could be referred by the Librarian, and who could give their assistance generally in matters relating to the control of the Library.
We think that this suggestion is well worthy of the consideration of the Committee.
The Marquess of Crewe, as Chairman of the Sub-Committee, put before the Committee two names representing the two classes of qualifications referred to in the Report.
Of the two candidates whose names were submitted, the Committee decided to appoint Mr. Charles Travis Clay, who is now the Assistant Librarian.
§ 3. ROOM FOR GOVERNMENT WHIPS.
§ It was suggested that a room should be set apart for the use of the Government Whips, and the Committee approved of the suggestion if arrangements can be made with the Lord Great Chamberlain for the purpose.
THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF DONOUGHMORE)My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be now considered and adopted.
§ Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.