HL Deb 11 December 1963 vol 253 cc1206-8

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

The Committee's Report was as follows:

1. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEES

(a) Library

The Sub-Committee on the Library was appointed as follows: E. Attlee, V. Simonds (Chairman). V. Soulbury, L. Amulree, L. Burden, L. Carrington, L. Chorley, L. Merthyr, L. Reid, B. Wootton of Abinger and the Lord Great Chamberlain, with the Clerk of the Parliaments.

(b) Refreshment Department

The Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department was appointed as follows: E. St. Aldwyn, L. Amulree. L. Killearn, L. Macpherson of Drumochter. L. Shepherd. B. Swanborough, and the Lord Great Chamberlain, with the Clerk of the Parliaments, with power to co-opt further members and to appoint its own Chairman.

(c) 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. PICTURES

The Committee were informed of the completion of the portrait of the Marquess of Cholmondeley now hanging in the Cholmondeley Room and of the continued progress of the painting of the House in session.

3. PARLIAMENT OFFICE AND LIBRARY

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of the following appointments:—

  1. (a) Mr. Peter Gordon Henderson to be Principal Clerk of Public Bills in the place of Mr. Robert Westby Perceval from August 10, 1963.
  2. (b) Mr. John Victor Duncombe Webb to be Chief Clerk, Committee and Private Bill Office.
  3. (c) Mr. Roger Hugh Vaughan Charles Morgan (lately Senior Library Clerk in the House of Commons) to be Assistant Librarian in the place of Mr. Robin Murray Price from October 1, 1963.

4. REVISED SCALES OF PAY

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

E.C. 24/63 Pay of the Higher Civil Service;

E.C. 25/63 Between the Principal's maxi, mum and the Assistant Secretary's minimum

to analogous grades of Officers of the House of Lords.

The Committee also authorised a revised scale of salary for the Accountant as from April 1, 1963.

5. ESTIMATES

The Estimates for the House of Lords for 1964–65 were laid before the Committee and approved.

6. RETIREMENTS

The Committee learned with regret of the retirement on January 1, 1964, of Mr. H. M. Burrows. C.B.E., the Clerk Assistant, and expressed their unanimous appreciation of his 38 years in the service of the House. The Committee sanctioned the payment of a pension and additional allowance to him under the Superannuation Acts.

The Committee also sanctioned the payment of the following awards under the Superannuation Acts:—

  1. (a) pension and additional allowance to Mr. Alfred John Dadswell, the Principal Doorkeeper, on his retirement on December 31, 1963:
  2. (b) pension and additional allowance to Mr. Alfred Elias Green, Leading Custodian Fireman, on his retirement on February 23, 1964;
  3. (c) revised pension and additional allowance to Mr. George Charles Searle, Inspector of Custodians, who retired on September 29, 1963;
  4. (d) revised gratuity to Mr. Edward George Herbert, Custodian, who retired on August 7, 1963.

7. HEAD HOUSEMAID

The Committee authorised an increase in the allowance to the Head Housemaid in the Lord Great Chamberlain's Department.

8. OFFICIAL SHORTHAND WRITER

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of the arrangements for delivery of Opinions in Appeals to the House of Lords in accordance with Practice Direction dated November 21, 1963, and of the effect on the remuneration of the Official Shorthand Writer. The Clerk of the Parliaments was asked to negotiate a settlement, subject to Treasury approval, with the Official Shorthand Writer (the settlement to take immediate effect); and to report to the Committee at its next meeting.

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 the Report be now agreed to.

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

On Question, Motion agreed to.