HL Deb 13 February 1946 vol 139 cc552-3

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE PARLIAMENT OFFICE.

The Committee agreed to the final arrangements made by the Clerk of the Parliaments in regard to certain matters which were left outstanding.

2.—SAL ARY OF THE CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENTS.

The Committee sanctioned the proposal that the salary of the Clerk of the Parliaments should be raised to conform with the increase applied to the heads of other major Government Departments.

3.—DOORKEEPERS.

The Committee approved the recommendations of the Sub-Committee for an increase in the salaries and uniform allowances of the Doorkeepers.

4.—CIVIL SERVICE WAR BONUS.

The Committee sanctioned the application of Treasury Circular. No. 1/45 for consolidation of war bonus to such members of the staff of the House of Lords as it applies.

5.—APPOINTMENT OF JUNIOR CLERK IN THE PARLIAMENT OFFICE.

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee that he had appointed Mr. Peter Heaton a Junior Clerk on the staff of the Parliament Office. The appointment to date from February 18, 1946.

6.—HISTORICAL RECORDS.

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee that he had appointed Mr. Francis R. D. Needham to be Clerk in charge of the historical records of the House.

The Committee sanctioned the salary payable to Mr. Needham and authorized the appointment of a messenger to assist him.

7.—REPORTING STAFF.

The Committee agreed to the new scales of salary to the Editor of Debates and Reporters and sanctioned the appointment of an additional Reporter.

8.—RETIREMENT OF RESIDENT SUPERINTENDENT.

The Committee sanctioned a pension and an additional allowance under the Superannuation Act, 1935, to Mr. Frank Cecil Meech on his retirement from the post of Resident Superintendent on 14th February, 1946.

The Committee were informed that the Lord Great Chamberlain had incorporated the duties of the office of Resident Superintendent with those of the office of Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain. The Committee sanctioned the salary payable to Major-General Nigel Maitland Wilson, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., on the amalgamation of the duties of the two posts.

The Committee appointed a Sub-Committee, consisting of the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Chairman of Committees, the Viscount Samuel, the Viscount Addison, the Lord Cecil (V. Cranborne), with the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, to consider a proposal as to an appointment to the post et Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod.

9.—PORTERS.

The Committee approved the increase in the weekly wage of the porters.

10—EDITOR OF DEBATES.

The Committee were informed that Mr. A. A. Reid had been given leave of absence owing to ill-health, and that Mr. G. W. Rowe, an Official Reporter who retired in August, 1945, had been appointed temporarily in his place.

11—SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY.

The Committee appointed the Viscount Southwood to be added to the Library Sub-Committee.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD STANMORE)

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

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

On question, Motion agreed to.

LORD STANMORE

My Lords, the Report deals entirely with matters of routine, and I do not think there is any point to which I need call your Lordships' special attention. I therefore move that the Report be agreed to.

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

On Question, Motion agreed to.