§ Order of the day for the consideration of the First Report from the Select Committee read.
§ THE Committee reported as follows:
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1.—Estimates.
The Est mate for 1941 was laid before the Committee by the Clerk of the Parliaments and approved.
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2.—Resident Superintendent.
The Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod informed the Committee that accommodation could be found for the Resident Superintendent in the residence allotted to the Yeoman Usher during such time as the Resident Superintendent's Hat was not habitable. The Committee sanctioned a grant to the Resident Superintendent for emergency expenses.
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3.—Examinership.
The Lord Chairman informed the Committee of the resignation of Mr. E. C. Vigors, C.B., lately Principal Clerk of Committees, from the post of Examiner and of the temporary appointment in his place of Mr. G. 11. Eastwood. The Committee sanctioned an increase of Mr. Vigor's pension under arrangements proposed at the time of his retirement, Mr. Eastwood's salary as Examiner to be decided by the Lord Chairman and the Clerk of the Parliaments after consultation with the Treasury.
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4.—Custodians.
The Committee sanctioned the appointment of eight additional custodians, it being understood that the expense of these would be shared by the House of Commons.
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5.—Housemaid.
The Committee sanctioned a gratuity under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, to Mrs. Cockett, housemaid, on retirement owing to ill-health after 20 years' service.
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6.—Sub-Committees.
The Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department was reappointed as follows: The Earl of Lucan, the Lord Hare (Earl of Listowel), the Lord Stanmore, the Lord Jessel, the Lord Atkin, the Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, with the Lord Great Chamberlain, with the Clerk of the Parliaments.
§ The Library Sub-Committee was reappointed as follows: The Marquess of Crewe, the Earl of 11chester, the Earl of Onslow, the Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, the Lord Stanmore, the Lord Atkin, the Lord Macmillan, the Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, with the Clerk of the Parliaments.
THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF ONSLOW)My Lords, I beg to move that the First Report of the Select Committee on House of Lords Offices be considered and agreed to. I do not think there is anything particular in the Report to which I should draw 142 your Lordships' attention except paragraph 3, the question of the Examiner-ship. Mr. Vigors, who has been Examiner for a number of years, lives in Ireland, and under present conditions finds it difficult to be sure of getting over to England in time when we may want him. Therefore he has felt it his duty to offer his resignation. It is forty years since Mr. Vigors entered the service of the House. The question of his successor has presented a certain amount of difficulty because your Lordships are well aware that not all the officers of the House are available at the present moment, some of them being on military service. So Mr. Eastwood has undertaken the duty of Examiner until the end of the war or such other time as it may be possible for us to make a more permanent selection. The question of salary will be arranged in due course with the Treasury. I do not think there is anything else and I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Report be now considered and agreed to.—(The Earl of Onslow.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.