HL Deb 20 December 1944 vol 134 cc477-9

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—Sub-Committees.

The Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department was reappointed as follows:—The Earl of Lucan, the Earl Fortescue, the Lord Stanmore, the Lord Jessel, the Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, the Lord Southwood, with the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Clerk of the Parliaments.

The Library Sub-Committee was reappointed as follows:—The Marquess of Crewe, the Earl of Ilchester, the Earl of Onslow, the Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, the Lord Stanmore, the Lord Macmillan, the Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, the Lord Simonds, with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

2.—Civil Service War Bonus.

The Committee sanctioned the application of Treasury Circular No. 18/44 for payment of war bonus to the staff of the House of Lords to whom it applies.

3.—Civil Defence Rates.

The Committee authorized the application of the new rates of pay for Civil Defence workers to the firemen on fire guard duty in the Palace of Westminster.

4.—Senior Clerk.

The Committee sanctioned a pension under the Superannuation Act, 1859, to Mr. Geoffrey Dundas Luard, Taxing Officer of Private Bill Costs and acting Principal Clerk of Private Bills and Committees. The Committee also sanctioned the payment of salary to Mr. Luard on his appointment from December 28, 1944, as a temporary clerk.

5.—Corps of Custodians.

The Committee considered a petition relating to the pay of the Custodian staff. They considered that it was not practicable during the war to review the basic rates of pay which had been settled by the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Treasury after careful consideration at the time when the Corps was formed. The war bonus, which had been increased from time to time and now amounted to 23s. a week, took account of additional cost-of-living expenses consequent on the war. The Committee were of opinion that the possibility of establishing the Corps on a pensionable basis should be examined after the war in conjunction with a review of the basic rates of pay.

6.—Historical Manuscripts.

The Committee considered proposals made by the Clerk of the Parliaments for the care of the historical manuscripts in his custody.

The Committee recommended, in view of the historical importance of the collection, the appointment of a qualified clerk to be employed whole-time on the care, arrangement and clerical work in connexion with the documents.

7.—Estimates.

The Estimate for the House of Lords Offices for 1945 was laid before the Committee by the Clerk of the Parliaments and approved.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD STANMORE)

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

Moved, That the Report be now considered.—(Lord Stanmore).

On Question, Motion agreed to.

LORD STANMORE

My Lords, I do not think there is any point I need stress in the Report. It deals entirely with routine matters. I beg to move that the Report be agreed to.

Moved, That the Report be agreed to.—(Lord Stanmore).

On Question, Motion agreed to.