HL Deb 10 December 1958 vol 213 cc167-9

2.45 p.m.

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEES

(1) LIBRARY

The Sub-Committee on the Library was appointed as follows: E. Attlee, E. Home, E. Ilchester, V. Esher, V. Simonds (Chairman), V. Soulbury, L. Burden, L. Chorley, L. Reid, and the Lord Great Chamberlain, with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

(2) REFRESHMENT DEPARTMENT

The Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department was appointed as follows: E. Gosford, E. St. Aldwyn, L. Amulree, L. Blackford, L. Henderson, L. Killearn, L. Lucas of Chilworth, L. Macpherson of Drumochter, and the Lord Great Chamberlain, with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

The Sub-Committee was given power to co-opt further members and to appoint its own chairman.

(3) STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

The Sub-Committee on Stained Glass Windows was appointed as follows: D. Wellington (Chairman), M. Salisbury, E. Crawford, E. Munster, L. Burden, L. Kenilworth, and the Lord Great Chamberlain, with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

(4) HOUSING OF HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS IN THE VICTORIA TOWER

The Sub-Committee on the Housing of Historical Documents in the Victoria Tower was appointed as follows: M. Salisbury (Chairman), E. Home, E. Lucan, E. Munster, V. Thurso, L. Amulree, L. Rea, and the Lord Great Chamberlain, with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

2.—REPORT FROM THE WINDOWS SUBCOMMITTEE

The Duke of Wellington reported that the Sub-Committee had in the last session completed its task of putting up in the Prince's Chamber stained glass windows containing the arms of some of the figures shown in the wall paintings, and that a certain amount of money still remained available to the Sub-Committee.

3.—RETIREMENT OF PRINCIPAL CLERK, JUDICIAL OFFICE

The Committee learnt with regret of the voluntary retirement on 1st January, 1959, of Mr. Geoffrey Hugh Eastwood, C.V.O., C.B.E., after thirty-four years in the service of the House, and sanctioned the payment of a pension and an additional allowance to him under the Superannuation Acts.

4.—REVISED SCALES OF PAY

The Committee sanctioned the application of the following Establishments Circulars:—

  1. (a) No. 22/58 Increase in Higher Grades' Pay,
  2. (b) No. 24/58 Pay, etc., of Messengerial and Paperkeeping Grades,
to analogous grades of the staff of the House of Lords.

The Committee also sanctioned consequential increases in superannuation awards in seven cases.

5.—DOORKEEPERS' DRESS CLOTHES ALLOWANCE

The Committee authorised an increase in the annual allowance for upkeep of dress clothes.

6.—ESTIMATES

The Estimates for the House of Lords for 1959–60 were laid before the Committee and approved.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD MERTHYR)

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

Moved, That the Report be now considered.—(Lord Merthyr.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

LORD, MERTHYR

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be agreed to. In doing so I do not think that there is any special matter which I need draw to the attention of the House, except that, with reference to paragraph 3, I hope that I may be allowed to voice the regret of every Member of the House at receiving the retirement decision of Mr. Eastwood, and to express our sincere appreciation of his services to the House over a period of thirty-four years. I beg to move.

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

On Question, Motion agreed to.