Lords Sitting of 24 August 1945

Preamble
The House met at twelve of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers.
The Duke of Beaufort—Took the Oath.
MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL BILL.
Brought from the Commons; read 1a, and referred to the Examiners.

PRIVATE BILL STANDING ORDERS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD STANMORE): My Lords, I propose to ask the House to appoint a Select Committee to revise the Standing Orders of the House on Private and Provisional Order Bills. The Committee in another place has been carrying out the revision of the Standing Orders which refer to the procedure on these Bills. This Committee has reported and the Report has been approved. I propose that our Standing Orders should be revised to include the amendments made. The advantage of incorporating these improvements is that it will be of assistance to promoters of Bills if the design of the Standing Orders in each House is in the same form. The noble Lords who are named have agreed to assist me in this revision, and I am sure your Lordships will agree that they are well fitted for this duty. I beg to move.
Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to revise the Standing Orders relative to Private and Provisional Order Bills, and that the Lords following, with the Chairman of Committees, be named of the Committee:

V. Hutchinson (E. Donoughmore),

V. Hailsham,

V. Maugham,

L. Clauson.

—(Lord Stanmore.)

On Question, Motion agreed to

HOUSE OF LORDS OFFICES.
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 Library Sub-Committee was reappointed as follows: the Earl of Ilchester, the Lord Stanmore, the Lord Macmillan, the Lord Simonds with the Clerk of the Parliaments.
The Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department was re-appointed as follows: the Earl Fortescue, the Earl of Lucan, the Viscount Mersey, the Lord Stanmore, the Lord Jessel, the Lord Southwood with the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Clerk of the Parliaments.
The Sub-Committee on the Reorganization of the Staff of the Parliament Office was reappointed as follows: The chairman of Committees, the Earl Fortescue, the Earl Stanhope, the Viscount Hutchinson (Earl of Donoughmore), the Viscount Hailsham, the Lord Denman, and the Lord Southwood.
2. —Reporting Staff
The Committee sanctioned a pension and an additional allowance under the Superannuation Act, 1935, to each of the following Reporters:—

Name

Date of retirement. 1945.

Completed years' service.

Westwood, Henry Robert

31 July

21

Rowe, George William

31 July

17

Brewer, Robert Henry

31 Aug.

21

3. —Gratuity to a Housemaid.
The Committee sanctioned the payment of a gratuity under the Superannuation Act, 1887, to Mrs. Emma Moss who retired owing to ill-health on 23rd June, 1945, after 16 completed years' service.
4 — A.R.P Palace of Westminster.
The Committee agreed to the payment of war gratuities to the men recently employed as A.R.P. Firemen in the Palace of Westminster on the same scales as allowed to the Civil Defence General Services.
5. —Opening of Parliament.
A letter was read from the Lord Denman respecting the overcrowded state of the Chamber on the occasion of the Opening of Parliament by His Majesty; discussion on the matter was postponed to the next meeting of the Committee.
LORD STANMORE: My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be now 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 anything to which I need call your Lordships' attention. It is chiefly a routine matter. I move that the Report be approved.
Moved, That the Report be approved. —(Lord Stanmore.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.

INDIAN FRANCHISE BILL. [H.L.]
Read 3a (according to Order), and passed, and sent to the Commons.
House adjourned during pleasure.
House resumed.

ROYAL COMMISSION.
The following Bill received the Royal Assent:
Local Elections (Service Abroad).
House adjourned during pleasure.
House resumed.