HL Deb 24 March 1953 vol 181 cc246-7

2.48 p.m.

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—REFRESHMENT DEPARTMENT. The Report of the Sub-Committee on the House of Lords Refreshment Department was laid before the Committee and approved.

2.—HISTORICAL RECORDS. The Clerk of the Parliaments laid before the Committee a report from the Ministry of Works on the present condition of the Victoria Tower. The Committee were unanimously of opinion that the necessary work should be proceeded with as a matter of urgency. The Clerk of the Parliaments also informed them of the progress made in the re-conditioning of the manuscript repository; and the Committee approved a payment to Mr. F. D. Armitage in respect of his services for a mycological survey in the Victoria Tower and for laboratory tests.

3.—SUPERANNUATION. The Committee sanctioned the adoption of the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1952, for the staff of the House of Lords.

4.—SENIOR OFFICE ASSISTANT. The Committee authorised the application of the senior scale of salary to the post of Office Assistant engaged in the Committee Office.

5.—PRINCIPAL DOORKEEPER—DUE FOR RETIREMENT. The Committee sactioned a pension and an additional allowance under the Superannuation Acts, 1935 and 1949, to John Spelman, M.M., the Principal Doorkeeper who attains 65years of age on 23rd March, 1953. The Committee were informed that Mr. Spelman has been re-employed as an unestablished doorkeeper.

6.—HOUSEMAIDS. The Committee sanctioned the application of Treasury Establishments Circular No. 5/53 dated 9th February, 1953 (Pay of Women Cleaners) to the Housemaids on the staff of the Lord Great Chamberlain.

7.—RETIREMENT OF CUSTODIAN INSPECTOR. The Committee sanctioned the payment of a gratuity and an additional allowance under the Superannuation Acts, 1859, 1909 and 1935 to Alexander Sutherland, an established Inspector of Custodians, on his retirement through ill-health before having completed ten years' reckonable service.

8.—SENIOR CUSTODIAN—DUE FOR RETIREMENT. The Committee sanctioned a pension and an additional allowance under the Superannuation Act, 1935, to Terence O'Donnell, an established Senior Custodian, whose services were extended to 31st March. 1953. The Committee were informed that Mr. O'Donnell would be re-employed as an unestablished Custodian.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF DROGHEDA)

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

Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

THE EARL OF DROGHEDA

My Lords, I do not think there is any point in this Report to which I need draw your Lordships' attention. I beg to move that the Report be agreed to.

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

On Question, Motion agreed to.