HL Deb 15 June 1937 vol 105 cc627-30

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—LATE CLERK ASSISTANT OF THE PARLIAMENTS—ALLOWANCE TO WIDOW.

The Committee heard with regret of the death on 4th May, 1937, of Mr. Montagu Ronald Alfred Muir Mackenzie, the Clerk Assistant.

The Committee confirm the payment to his widow of a gratuity under the Superannuation Act, 1909, equal to one year's salary which amounts to £1,650.

2.—CLERK ASSISTANT AND READING CLERK.

The Committee were informed of the appointment by the Lord Chancellor of Mr. R. L. Overbury and Mr. F. W. Lascelles to the posts of Clerk Assistant and Reading Clerk respectively. They expressed their satisfaction that the Lord Chancellor had seen fit to appoint to the post of Reading Clerk one of the Senior Clerks in the Parliament Office as recommended by the House of Lords Offices Committee in their 2nd Report, 1889.

Mr. Overbury has been appointed at £1,650, the same salary as his predecessor.

Mr. Lascelles will discharge the duties of the office of Reading Clerk and those of Clerk of Public Bills at a consolidated salary of £1,650, which will effect an economy of £672.

3.—YEOMAN USHER OF THE BLACK ROD AND SECRETARY TO THE LORD GREAT CHAMBERLAIN.

The Committee approved an increase of salary in respect of this Officer fixing his salary at £400 as Yeoman Usher and £300 as Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain with a residence, making a total of £700 representing a consolidated figure of £847, to date from 1st April, 1938.

4.—RETIREMENT OF LIBRARY ATTENDANT.

The Committee were informed of the resignation on 31st May, 1937, of Mr. John W. Broad, the Library Attendant.

The Committee approved an additional allowance to Mr. Broad of £239 8s. 4d. as well as a pension of £68 15s. 8d. to Mr. Broad himself with a pension of £52 11s. 9d. to his wife in case he should die before her.

5.—EXAMINERS' MESSENGER.

The Committee sanctioned the payment of a gratuity of £10 to Mr. Parkinson, Messenger of the House of Commons, who has been acting as Examiners' Messenger during the absence through illness of the present holder of the post.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF ONSLOW)

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be now considered and agreed to.

Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

THE EARL OF ONSLOW

My Lords, I beg to move that the Earl of Dartmouth, the Earl of Ancaster, and the Earl Bald- win of Bewdley be added to the Select Committee. The two noble Lords first mentioned are the late Lord Great Chamberlain and the present Lord Great Chamberlain. It is always the case, when the Lord Great Chamberlain is a member of your Lordships' House, that he should also be a member of the House of Lords Offices Committee. Your Lordships will agree that, my noble friend Lord Dartmouth having succeeded to the Peerage, and being now a member of your Lordships' House, he should rightly and properly be added to our number. Your Lordships will also be very glad to know that the noble Earl, Lord Baldwin, has consented to my putting his name before your Lordships' House and that we are to have the benefit and advantage of his advice on the House of Lords Offices Committee.

Moved, That the Earl of Dartmouth, the Earl of Ancaster, and the Earl Baldwin of Bewdley be added to the Select Committee.—(The Earl of Onslow.)

On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

House adjourned at five o'clock.