§ 2.58 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I beg to move that the Third Report from the Select Committee be now considered.
§ Moved accordingly and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
§ The Committee's Report was as follows:
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1. ADMINISTRATION
The Committee have reviewed in detail the duties at present entrusted to Sir George Mills, as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, and to Sir Kenneth Mackintosh, as Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain, Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod, Serjeant-at-Arms and Agent to the Administration Commitlee. They take account of the facts that The Queen has recently approved the appointment of Admiral Sir Frank Twiss to be Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in succession to Sir George Mills with effect from 1st September, 1970; and that Sir Kenneth Mackintosh will be retiring from his various posts at the end of the year.
The Committee have approved a recommendation from the Administration Committee that, on the retirement of Sir Kenneth Mackintosh, the latter Committee should appoint as their Agent Admiral Sir Frank Twiss, to carry out on their behalf the control of the accommodation and services in the House of Lords area of the Palace of Westminster.
So far as ceremonial duties are concerned, the Lord Great Chamberlain has agreed that, in due course, the Gentleman Usher should take over the Secretarial responsibilities hitherto discharged by Sir Kenneth Mackintosh.
The Yeoman Usher will act as Deputy to the Gentleman Usher for such duties as may be assigned to him.
The duties of the post of Serjeant-at-Arms are left over for future consideration.
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Subject to this reservation, the Committee seek the approval of the House for the principle of concentrating in the office of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod the administrative and ceremonial responsibilities at present carried out by Sir George Mills and Sir Kenneth Mackintosh respectively.
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2. ACCOMMODATION
The Committee were informed that approval has been given for the scheme to provide additional accommodation for the House of Lords by building over State Officers' Court.
Work on the scheme will start in the Summer Recess 1971 with completion by the end of the Summer Recess 1972.
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3. PARLIAMENT OFFICE
The Committee agreed to the Report of the Sub-Committee on the grading of the two posts of Principal Clerk, Judicial Office, and the Principal Clerk, Committee and Private Bill Office in the Parliament Office. The Committee authorised the salary consequent upon the revised grading of these posts with effect from the 1st March, 1970.
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4. REVISED SCALES OF PAY
The Committee sanctioned the application of Establishment Circular D.E.O. (70) (Pay) No. 7 (Central Pay Increase) dated 9th April, 1970, to applicable staff of the House of Lords.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I beg to move that the Report be agreed to.
§ Moved, That the Report be agreed to.—(The Earl of Listowel.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.