HL Deb 14 December 1960 vol 227 cc468-71

2.48 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, V. Esher. V. Simonds (Chairman), V. Soul-bury, L. Birkett, L. Burden. L. Chorley, L. Merthyr, 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. Killearn, L. Macpherson of Drumochter, L. Shepherd, 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) Windows of the House

The Sub-Committee on the Windows of the House 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(4) Housing of Historical Documents in the Victoria Tower

The Sub-Committee on the Housing of Historical Documents in the Victoria Tower was appointed as follows: M. Salisbury (Chairman), E. Harrowby, E. Home, E. Lucan, E. Munster, L. Amulree, L. Rea, and the Lord Great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

(5) House of Lords' Estimates

The Sub-Committee on the House of Lords' Estimates was appointed as follows: E. St. Aldwyn, E. Lucan, L. Amulree and L. Merthyr (Chairman).

2.—TRAVELLING EXPENSES OF PEERS

The Committee considered the Report of the Sub-Committee's meeting on November 22, 1960, which was agreed to.

3.—READING CLERK AND CLERK OF THE JOURNALS

The Committee approved the salary payable to Mr. Henry Montagu Burrows, C.B.E., the Reading Clerk, on his appointment as Clerk of the Journals from April 1, 1960.

4.—REVISED SCALES OF PAY

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

(a) No. 41/60 Pay of the Higher Civil Service,

(b) No. 22/60 Principals, Assistant Principals etc, Revised scales of pay,

(c) No. 17/60 Messenger, Paperkeeper etc. Revised scales of pay,

(d) No. 45/60 Pay of Women Cleaners,

to analogous grades of the staff of the House of Lords.

5.—HANSARD REPORTING STAFF

The Committee sanctioned revisions in the scales of salary of the Hansard Reporting Staff and the appointment of an additional Reporter with effect; from October 1, 1960.

The Committee also sanctioned the application to temporary Reporters of the revised attendance fee as set out in the Appendix to Establishments Circular No. 37/60 with effect from June 1, 1960.

6.—MEAL ALLOWANCE

The Committee approved an increase in the rate of meal allowance payable to certain officials working late in the evening after a normal day's duty.

7.—RETIREMENT OF PRINCIPAL DOORKEEPER

The Committee sanctioned the payment of a pension and additional allowance under the Superannuation Acts to Mr. Herbert John Wootton, M.M., Principal Doorkeeper, with effect from December 9, 1960, after a short extension of service.

The Committee were informed of the re-employment of Mr. Wootton as an unestablished Doorkeeper.

8.—RETIREMENT OF SENIOR CUSTODIAN

The Committee sanctioned the payment of a pension and additional allowance under the Superannuation Acts to Mr. Arthur Cecil Keightley, who reached 65 years of age on October 14, 1960.

9.—RESIGNATION OF HOUSEMAID

The Committee sanctioned the payment of a gratuity under the Superannuation Acts to Miss Julie Fetter, who resigned on July 16, 1960.

10.—RESIGNATION OF CUSTODIAN

The Committee authorised the payment of a transfer value under the Superannuation (Transfers between Civil Service and Local Government) Rules, to the London County Council in respect of the services of Mr. William Cooper as Custodian in the Lord Great Chamberlain's Department.

11.—ESTIMATES

The Estimates for the House of Lords for 1961-62 were laid before the Committee and approved.

12.—NATIONAL INSURANCE ACT, 1959

The Committee were informed of the application of the regulations enabling eligible members of the staff of The House of Lords to be contracted out of the State graduated pension scheme.

13.—LIBRARY

A Report from the Sub-Committee on the Library was laid before the Committee and agreed to.

14.—VENTILATION OF THE CHAMBER

The Committee considered the question of the ventilation of the Chamber and approved arrangements for the installation of thermometers.

15.—FIRST AID

The Committee considered the existing arrangements for medical aid and agreed that a wheel-chair should be provided.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD MERTHYR)

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

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

LORD MERTHYR

My Lords. I beg to move that this Report be now agreed to. I do not think there are any matters to which I need draw the special attention of your Lordships; but, needless to say, if there are any questions which any noble Lord would like to put to me I will do my best to answer them, either now or at a later stage.

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

On Question, Motion agreed to.