§ Order of the day read for the consideration of the Sixth Report from the Select Committee.
§ The Committee reported as follows:—
§ 1. OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF YEOMAN USHER OF THE BLACK ROD.
§ The Committee considered an application with regard to some change in the official residence of the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod. The further consideration of the matter was adjourned.
§ 2. CLERK IN THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE.
§ The Committee sanctioned an increase of pay of £50 a year to Captain G. J. W. Townsend, M.B.E., Clerk in the office of the Lord Great Chamberlain, to date from the 1st of April, 1931.
§ 3. APPOINTMENT OF JUNIOR CLERICAL ASSISTANT.
§ The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee that he had appointed Miss A. N. Phipps to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss D. C. Hood.
§ 4. FEE FUND.
§
The Clerk of the Parliaments submitted to the Committee a recommendation from the Treasury contained in a letter dated 3rd July, 1930, of which the relevant portion is as follows:—
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As regards the Fee Fund, My Lords suggest for the consideration of the House of Lords Offices Committee that fees in future should be credited, as and when received, direct to the Vote as appropriation in aid in accordance with the normal procedure and that the pensions, etc., which under existing arrangements are paid from the Fee Fund, should be charged to and paid from a subhead of the Vote. The Fee Fund under this arrangement would cease to exist, the capital accumulation being surrendered to the Exchequer.
My Lords wish to make it clear that in suggesting the disappearance of the Fee Fund They are not proposing any alteration in the existing method of awarding pensions. These would continue to be awarded precisely as at present. The change would affect merely the procedure for payment, after an award has been made.
My Lords are aware that when a similar suggestion was put forward in 1869, objection was taken by the House of Lords Offices Committee on the ground that the Fee Fund arrangement affords some additional security in the matter of pensions. Whatever validity may have attached to this objection in 1869 would appear to My Lords to have long since passed away. It is relevant to point out that the change proposed would, in the matter of the provision of the necessary funds, place pensions, etc., on the same basis as salaries and remuneration. The latter are clearly of no less importance than pensions to the House of Lords Offices Committee and My Lords anticipate that the system which for upwards of half a century has proved satisfactory to the Committee in the matter of salaries and remuneration would prove equally satisfactory in the matter of pensions.
The Committee resolved that the Clerk of the Parliaments be authorised to take the necessary steps in consultation with the Treasury and Exchequer and Audit Department to give effect to the suggestions in Treasury Letter of 3rd July, 1930, on the subject of the Fee Fund and Security Monies.
§ Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.