HL Deb 22 July 1947 vol 151 cc40-2

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—Reporting Staff.

The Committee sanctioned the salary payable to Mr. A. A. Reid, former Editor of Debates, on his temporary re-employment as a sub-editor. The Committee also sanctioned the engagement of an additional temporary reporter and the scale of fees to be paid to persons holding that position.

The Committee approved an arrangement made with Messrs. H. Craig-Kelly Limited for the supply of additional typists on occasions when the House sits after dinner.

2.—Meal Allowance.

The Committee sanctioned the payment of a meal allowance to officials working late in the evening after a normal day's duty.

3.—Gratuity to Legal Personal Representative of a Retired Doorkeeper.

The Committee sanctioned the payment of a gratuity under Section 2(2) of the Superannuation Act, 5909, to the legal personal representative of Mr. George Charles Hogbin, doorkeeper who retired on the 31st December, 1945, and whose death occurred on the 12th of November, 1946.

4.—Custodians.

The Committee agreed to the final arrangements made by the Clerk of the Parliaments in regard to the establishment of members of the Custodian Staff who are under 65 years of age.

5.—Porters.

The Committee authorised an increase in the weekly wage of the porters.

6.—Additional Housemaid.

The Committee sanctioned the appointment of an extra housemaid for the cleaning of additional rooms.

7.—Refreshment Department.

The following Report from the Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department on proposals for the amalgamation of the kitchen accommodation of the two Houses was laid before the Committee and agreed to:

"The Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department report to the House of Lords Offices Committee that, in their opinion, the considerations which influenced the decisions of the two joint Committees of 1936 and 1944–5 still obtain, and that an amalgamation of the two systems is not at present desirable; that the accommodation asked for by the Commons is essential to the use of the House of Lords, for which it is already inadequate, and would not in any event meet the needs of the House of Commons as represented to the Committee."

8.—Official Report (Hansard).

The Committee approved the arrangements made with the Stationery Office for the publication of a weekly Hansard of Lords Debates.

9.—House of Lords, Ventilation of.

The Committee approved the proposals made by representatives of the Ministry of Works to carry out certain experiments to improve the ventilation of the Chamber.

10.—Extra Duty Allowance.

The Committee sanctioned the application of Treasury Establishment Officers Circular No. 62/47 for payment of an extra duty allowance to any officer of the House of Lords to whom it may be applied.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF DROGHEDA)

My Lords, I beg to move that the Fourth Report of the Select Committee be now considered.

Moved, That the Report be new considered.—(The Earl of Drogheda.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES

My Lords, there are two matters to which I might refer in this Report. The first is that arrangements have been made with the Stationery Office to publish a weekly Hansard of our debates. That will take place as from the beginning of the next Session. The other matter is with regard to the ventilation of this House, which some people think is not quite ideal. It is not a very easy matter to remedy and the Office of Works are going to carry cut various experiments to see how best the matter can be remedied. I beg to rove that this Report be now agreed to.

Moved, That the Report be now agreed to.—(The Earl of Drogheda.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.