HL Deb 26 March 1958 vol 208 cc444-6

2.46 p.m.

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—TRAVELLING EXPENSES OF PEERS.

The Committee considered the existing arrangements for the repayment of Peers' travelling expenses.

2.—LIBRARY.

The Report from the Sub-Committee on the Library was laid before the Committee, and in particular the Committee were informed that arrangements had been made for a folder, marked "Deposited Papers", to be placed in the Library containing Papers provided for the use of Peers but not available for distribution through the Printed Paper Office; and that a list of such Papers would be displayed in the Library.

The Chairman of Committees was added to the Sub-Committee on the Library.

3.—SUPPLEM ENTARY ESTIMATE 1957–58.

The Committee approved the Supplementary Estimate, submitted to meet an excess which was mainly due to revised scales of pay. telephone services and further provision required for the reimbursement of travelling expenses of Peers, which have however been largely offset by savings on staff changes and an increase in Appropriations-in-Aid.

4.—APPOINTMENT OF A CLERK IN THE PARLIAMENT OFFICE.

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of the appointment of Mr. John Victor Duncombe Webb as a Clerk in the Parliament Office in place of Mr. A. P. D. Smyth, who has resigned. The appointment dates from 16th January, 1958. The Committee sanctioned the salary payable to Mr. Webb.

5.—VICTORIA TOWER.

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee that the Minister of Works had authorised the commencement of the next stage, which would probably take four years to complete, of the reconstruction of the Victoria Tower, involving the substitution of lighter floors for the dangerously heavy floors removed in 1954, the provision of adequate air-conditioned storage space for the records of the House, and the installation of a lift.

The Committee authorised an extension of the temporary employment of two male cleaners in the Victoria Tower.

6.—STARTING PAY ON PROMOTION AND SUBSTITUTION PAY.

The Committee authorised the application to the staff of the House of Lords of Establishments Circulars Nos. 50/57 (Starting Pay on Promotion) and 60/57 (Review of the 1949 Agreement on Starting Pay).

7.—STJPERANNUATION.

The Committee sanctioned the adoption of the provisions of the Superannuation. Act, 1957, for the staff of the House of Lords.

8.—DOORKEEPER DUE FOR RETIREMENT.

The Committee sanctioned a revised pension and additional allowance under the Superannuation Acts to Mr. John Spelman, M.M., B.E.M, at the age of 70 on the 23rd March, 1958, and authorised the temporary extension of his service to the 30th June, 1958.

9.—RETIREMENT OF SENIOR CUSTODIAN INSPECTOR.

The Committee sanctioned a pension and additional allowance under the Superannuation Acts to Mr. Edward George Warters, B.E.M., Senior Custodian Inspector, who retires on the 1st April, 1958.

10.—RETIREMENT OF A SENIOR CUSTODIAN.

The Committee sanctioned a pension and additional allowance under the Superannuation Acts to Mr. Frederick Frank George Rule who reached the age of 65 on the 7th February, 1958.

11.—LIFE PEERAGES BILL.

The Committee considered certain matters which might arise on the passing of the Life Peerages They have appointed a Sub-Committee. consisting of the Chairman of Committees, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Earl Fortescue, the Earl of Lucan and the Lord Amulree, with the Clerk of the Parliaments, to inquire into and make recommendations upon certain of these matters.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD MERTHYR)

My Lords I beg to move that the Report of the House of Lords Offices Committee 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 now agreed to. In doing so, I think there are only two matters to which I need draw the special attention of the House, and they are contained in paragraphs 2 and 11. In the first, your Lordships will see that increased facilities are now being provided for those Members of the House who are interested in doing so to see deposited papers which they are unable to obtain from the Printed Paper Office. I hope that these facilities will prove for the convenience of your Lordships, and that they will be made known so far as possible so that they can be used to the maximum extent. The other matter is that, in anticipation of the passing of the Life Peerages Bill through both Houses of Parliament, the Committee have thought it advisable to appoint a subcommittee to inquire into any matters which may arise in consequence of that change in the law. I do not think there are any other matters to which I need draw the attention of your Lordships, but if there are any questions which any noble Lord would like to ask, I will do my best to deal with them.

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

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, is it not going a little too far for this House to assume that, because it has agreed to the Life Peerages Bill, the House of Commons will also agree to the Bill, and to take steps accordingly?

LORD MERTHYR

My Lords, with great respect to the noble Viscount, the Committee are making no such assumption. They are only taking steps to make certain provisions in the event of that Bill being passed through Parliament. They would not like to be accused of not having thought of it in time. I hope the noble Viscount will believe that the Committee are not committing themselves in any way and are only taking steps in case the Bill is passed.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, I was only making a comment on the arrogant assumption that the House of Lords is always right.