HL Deb 30 July 1923 vol 54 cc1484-6

Order of the Day read for the consideration of the Second Report from the Select Committee.

The Committee reported inter alia:—

1.—RETIREMENT OF THE HEAD MESSENGER IN THE PARLIAMENT OFFICE.

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee that Mr. G. Bennett, the Head Messenger in the Parliament Office, after completing 30 years' service in March last, had attained the age of sixty-five on the 27th of June, and stated that it would be for the convenience of the Office if the Committee would sanction the retention of his services until the 31et of August. The Committee sanctioned this arrangement.

The Committee also sanctioned payments by way of pension to Mr. Bennett calculated on his 30 years' service and on a salary of £176 15s. 0d., the details of which were explained to the Committee in the Clerk of the Parliaments' memorandum. The payments to Mr. Bennett consist of a gratuity of £268 7s. 10d., an annual pension of £66 5s. 7d., and a supplement under the new Treasury agreement which amounts at the present time to £35 17s. 10d., but which is subject to quarterly revision.

2.—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, 1923, was laid before the Committee.

3.—ESTIMATE.

The estimate for the House of Lords Offices for the year ending March, 1924, was laid before the Committee by the Clerk of the Parliaments and approved.

5.—DELAYS IN FURNISHING COPIES OF EVIDENCE GIVEN BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEES.

Lord Southwark raised the question of the delay which had occurred in furnishing prints of the evidence before Joint Committees during the present session, and suggested that the prints of the evidence should in all cases be available on the morning following the day on which the evidence was given.

The delays have been very considerable and caused much inconvenience. The Comptroller of the Stationery Office, who is responsible, has undertaken to deliver the copies of the evidence in accordance with the contract in the future.

This contract only provides for furnishing prints of the evidence within 48 hours after the receipt of the transcript, and it was explained that the furnishing of prints in every cose on the morning following the day on which evidence was given would involve considerable extra expense. The contract time of 48 hours is in most cases sufficient, but, if in any special case it is necessary to have the prints furnished on the morning following the day on which the evidence was given, a special order will be made 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.

[From Minutes of July 27.]