HL Deb 12 December 1945 vol 138 cc648-51

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—Retirement of Lord Esmé Gordon-Lennox and reorganization in Department of Lord Great Chamberlain.

The Committee learned with regret of the resignation through ill health of Lord Esmé Gordon-Lennox from his offices of Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain and Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod. The Committee expressed their appreciation of his services extending over 16 years and sanctioned payment to him of a pension and additional allowance under the Superannuation Act, 1935.

The Committee were informed that the Lord Great Chamberlain had appointed Major-General Nigel Maitland Wilson, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., as Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain from 6th of November, 1945, and that he proposed to appoint General Wilson to the post of Resident Superintendent when a vacancy occurred in that office. The Committee sanctioned payment of a house allowance to General Wilson pending the provision of an official residence.

2.—Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod.

The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod informed the Committee that die had appointed Major-General Nigel Maitland Wilson. C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., as acting Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod as from the 6th of November, 1915, until his appointment as Resident Superintendent.

3.—Appointment of Clerk in Office of Lord Great Chamberlain.

The Committee sanctioned the appointment of and payment of salary to Mr. Frank Robert Lister as Clerk from the 6th of November, 1945.

4.—Report of tie. Sub-Committee on the reorganization of the Parliament Office.

The Committee agreed to the final proposals for the reorganization scheme recently approved by the Committee, subject to minor details to be arranged between the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Treasury.

5.—Custodians.

The Committee approved the proposals contained in the Report of the Sub-Committee for the increase of pay to Custodians; details to be discussed with the authorities of the House of Commons.

6.—Retirement of Principal Clerk of Judicial Office.

The Committee: sanctioned the payment of a pension under the Superannuation Act, 1859, to Mr. Granville Proby on his voluntary retirement on 31st December, 1945, after 38 years service.

The Clerk of the Parliaments was asked to convey to Mr. Proby the Committee's high sense of the ability and devotion which he has shown to his duties especially during the war period.

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee that he had appointed Mr. Victor Martin Reeves Goodman, M.C., as Principal Cleric of Judicial Office from January 1, 1946.

7.—Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms.

The Committee were informed of the appointment by the Lord Chancellor of Mr. Frank Mayell as Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms in place of Mr. E. 11. Vernon Harington. 8.—Estimates.

The Committee approved the estimates for the House of Lords Offices for 1946 which were laid before them by the Clerk of the Parliaments.

9.—Serjeant-at-Arms, House of Commons.

The Committee desired the Clerk of the Parliaments to inform the Serjeant-at-Arms in the House of Commons that in view of the limited accommodation for Peers they regret that they are unable to accede to his present proposals for the use of the Peers' Gallery by other visitors on certain occasions.

10.—Sub-Committee on the Library.

The Committee appointed the Viscount Mersey and the Lord Soulbury to be:added to the Library Sub-Committee.

11.—Bust of Lord Cottenham.

A proposal from the Earl of Cottenham to present a bust of the first Earl of Cottenham to the House of Lords was considered. The Committee asked the Viscount Simon to make further inquiries before they accept this kind offer.

12.—Doorkeepers.

The Committee appointed the Chairman of Committees, the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to be a Sub-Committee to consider the application of the Doorkeepers for an increase in pay.

5.20 p.m.

THE ACTING CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (VISCOUNT MERSEY)

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be now considered and agreed to. In doing so, there is one particular subject I should mention to your Lordships' House, and that is the retirement on pension of Lord Esmé Gordon-Lennox, who has been for sixteen years Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain and Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod. Many of your Lordships will remember him as a very efficient, courteous and popular officer, and I am sure your Lordships will sympathize with him in the serious illness from which he is suffering I beg to move.

Moved, That the Report be now considered and agreed to.—(Viscount Mersey.)

LORD LLEWELLIN

My Lords, I think it would only be right that I should associate those who sit on these Benches with the tribute which has just fallen from the lips of the Lord Chairman with regard to an old servant of the House. We associate ourselves with everything the Lord Chairman said. I think, having known him well while I was in Washington, we are fortunate in having General Wilson to take the place of an officer whose loss we regret.

LORD NATHAN

My Lords, when the Lord Chairman of Committees spoke on this matter I felt he was speaking for all in your Lordships' House. It will, of course, be only proper, in view of the remarks which we all welcome from the noble Lord, Lord Llewellin, that I should say, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, that we associate ourselves in every way with the words that have been delivered.

LORD REA

My Lords, in the absence of my noble friend Lord Samuel, I am sure he would not wish that this matter should go without a word from noble Lords on these Benches to say how deeply we all appreciate the services of one whom we have come to regard as an old and intimate friend, Lord Esmé Gordon-Lennox, and how much we regret the cause which has led to his retirement.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

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