HL Deb 12 May 1964 vol 258 cc126-8

2.55 p.m.

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

The Committee reported as follows:

1.—PICTURE OF THE HOUSE IN SESSION The Committee were informed that the picture of the House in session has been completed and is now exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. The Committee decided that a reproduction of the picture should be produced and referred the matter for implementation to the Sub-Committee on the picture.

2.—LIBRARY A report from the Sub-Committee on Library for the year 1963 was laid before Committee; also a recommendation from Sub-Committee regarding provision of an conditioned basement store, with which Committee agreed.

3.—ACCOMMODATION The Committee recommend that Peers who have received a Writ of Summons and taken the Oath and have subsequently disclaimed their Peerages for life shall, so long as they are members of the House of Commons, be allowed to use the Library, the Dining Room and the Guest Room of the House of Lords, and shall be entitled to make reservations in the Dining Room and the Cholmondeley Room.

4.—REFRESHMENT DEPARTMENT The Committee were informed of the resignation of Miss M. Riddell, Superintendent of the Refreshment Department, who will be leaving in July, and of the appointment of Miss Sheila R. Wilson in her place.

5.—HOUSE OF LORDS' ESTIMATES The Committee appointed Lord Shepherd in the place of the late Earl of Lucan to the Sub-Committee on the Estimates.

6.—PARLIAMENT OFFICE The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of the following appointments:—

  1. (a) Mr. Robert Westby Perceval, Clerk Assistant, additionally the Clerk of the Journals,
  2. (b) Mr. Peter Gordon Henderson, Reading Clerk additionally the Principal Clerk of Public Bills,
  3. (c) Mr. John Egerton Grey, Chief Clerk, Public Bill Office from 14th January, 1964,
  4. (d) Mr. Michael Addison John Wheeler-Booth, Senior Clerk from May 16, 1964,
  5. (e) Mr. John Michael Davies, Clerk in the Parliament Office from January 10, 1964.

7.—OFFICIAL SHORTHAND WRITER The Committee were informed of the negotiations with the Treasury in regard to the remuneration of the Official Shorthand Writer.

8.—HOUSE OF LORDS' APPEALS The Committee authorised an increase in the charge for the employment of outside typing assistance for the Lords of Appeal.

9.—REVISED SCALES OF PAY The Committee sanctioned the application of the following Establishments Circulars:—

  1. (a) E.C. No. 8/64 Central Pay Increase,
  2. (b) E.C. No. 12/64 London Weighting to analogous grades of the staff of the House of Lords.

10.—LORD GREAT CHAMBERLAIN'S DEPARTMENT The Committee approved a revision of the conditions of service of the Custodian staff and the appointment of four additional Custodians. The Committee also authorised a revised scale of salary for the Staff Superintendent, with effect from 1st April, 1964.

11.—SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE The Committee approved a Supplementary Estimate for the year 1963–64.

12.—PALACE OF WESTMINSTER The Committee sanctioned the payment for additional Police required for the opening of the Palace of Westminster to the public for a further day in each week during the Easter and Whitsun recesses.

13.—RETIREMENTS The Committee sanctioned the payment of the following awards under the Superannuation Acts:—

  1. (a) pension and additional allowance to Miss Rosalys Joan Griffith, M.B.E., on her retirement on 1st June, 1964,
  2. The Committee instructed the Clerk of the Parliaments to convey to Miss Griffith their warm appreciation of her long and valuable service.
  3. (b) pension and additional allowance to Mr. William Matthew McLean Clark, a Senior Custodian, on his retirement on 1st April, 1964,
  4. (c) pension and additional allowance to Mr. Arthur George Smith, a Custodian, on his retirement on 13th April, 1964,
  5. (d) death gratuity to the Legal Personal Representative of the late Senior Custodian John William Haigh who died on 16th March, 1964,
  6. (e) death gratuity to the Legal Personal Representative of the late Custodian James George Pitt who died on 5th March, 1964.

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, if there are any questions that any noble Lord would like to ask I will do my best to answer them. I do not think there are any particular points to which I ought to draw the attention of the House. I beg to move that the Report be agreed to.

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

On Question, Motion agreed to.