HL Deb 21 September 1939 vol 114 cc1107-8

Order of the Day for the consideration of the Fourth Report by the Select Committee read.

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS.

  1. (i) The Committee approved an application being made by the Lord Great Chamberlain to the Treasury for sanction for the payment of salaries of Red Cross nurses in accordance with the air raid precautions scheme for the Palace of Westminster, it being understood that a proportion of the cost, if approved by the Treasury, would be refunded by the House of Commons.
  2. (ii) Telephone exchange.—The Committee approved the scheme for the installation of an alternative telephone exchange for use in emergency, it being understood that a proportion of the cost, if chargeable on the House of Lords vote, will be refunded by the House of Commons.

2.—HOUSE OF LORDS STAFF SERVING WITH H.M. FORCES.

The Committee considered the provisions of Treasury Circular 13/39 and Treasury File E.38905 regarding those called up for service under the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act, 1939, and agreed that any members of the staff of the House of Lords who are called up for service under the Act, should, in respect of such time as they would otherwise have been on duty at the House of Lords, receive, in addition to their service emoluments, the balance of civil pay as defined in the Treasury Circular 13/39 and File E.38905.

The Committee also agreed that the stall should receive full civil pay in addition to service pay and allowances in respect of any time, prior to the declaration of war, when they would, but for their obligations under the Act, be absent on leave from the House of Lords.

3.—TAXATION OF PRIVATE BILL COSTS.

The Clerk of the Parliament; informed the Committee of the appointment of Mr. G. D. Luard as Taxing Officer in the place of Mr. Colin Davidson.

4.—APPOINTMENT.

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of the appointment of Mr. Charles Michael Walker as a Junior Clerk to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Edward Vigors, his appointment to date from the 5th June, 1939.

5.—EXAMINER OF LOCAL ACTS AND COPYING DEPARTMENT.

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of—

  1. (1) The appointment of Miss R. J. Griffith as Examiner of Local Acts in the place of Miss W. M. J. Phipps who resigned on marriage. The appointment to date from the 1st July, 1939.
  2. (2) The appointment of Miss R. C. Evernden to be clerical assistant to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss A. N. Phipps on her marriage. This appointment to date from the 14th June, 1939.

3.17 p.m.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF ONSLOW)

My Lords, I beg to move that the Report be now considered and agreed to. I do not think I need trouble your Lordships with any explanation of the Report. It deals with two matters which are necessary in consequence of the present emergency—first, the payment of the personnel of the antiaircraft nurses and the new telephone exchange, and, secondly, staff services in His Majesty's Forces; and the rest is pure routine.

Moved, That the Report be now considered and agreed to.—(The Earl of Onslow.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.