HL Deb 15 June 1971 vol 320 cc502-5

2.57 p.m.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)

My Lords, I beg to move that the Fourth Report from the Select Committee on House of Lords Offices be now considered.

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

The Committee's Report was as follows:

1. DOCUMENTARY FILM OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS

As reported to the House on March 17 last the Committee referred to the Administration Committee for detailed consideration an application by Lord Kelburn for leave to produce a documentary film of the House of Lords.

The Committee have since considered and agreed to a recommendation from the Administration Committee that permission should be given to Lord Kelburn to produce a film subject to certain conditions which have been set out and accepted by him in an exchange of letters.

Peers will be given an opportunity to view the film before consent is finally given to its release.

2. ACCOMMODATION

The Committee have examined and approved a scheme to provide much needed additional accommodation for the House.

The Scheme provides as follows:

  1. (i) That Committee Room "C" should be an extension of the Library and should be used as a writing and reading room.
  2. (ii) That the Dining Room should be extended by taking in certain of the Law Lords' rooms and pushing the outer wall further into Peers Court. The resulting "L" shaped room would become the Peers' Guest Dining Room and the present Guest Dining Room would he for Peers.
  3. (iii) That a new floor should be built above the existing Dining Room. It is at present suggested that this floor should consist of:
    1. (a) Two Committee Rooms (one to replace Committee Room "C", the other a new Committee Room).
    2. (b) A television room of approximately half the size of Committee Room "C".
    3. (c) House of Lords common room with some sort of self-service refreshment facilities.
    4. (d) Space to be allocated for one larger or some smaller rooms according to demand.

The Committee recommend the scheme to the House.

The Committee have agreed that a working party should be appointed from the membership of the Administration, Refreshment and Library Sub-Committees to keep in touch with the Department of the Environment and to advise on precise requirements as the work proceeds.

3. SUB-COMMITTEE ON WORKS OF ART

The Committee recommend that a Sub-Committee to be named the Sub-Committee on Works of Art should be appointed with the following terms of reference:—

  1. (a) to examine Works of Art at present in the House of Lords, and to make recommendations as to their suitability and display.
  2. (b) to recommend Works of Art for acquisition by purchase or on loan for the House of Lords.
  3. (c) to consider repairs or renovations which may be necessary for Works of Art in the House of Lords, and to recommend action as appropriate.

The Sub-Committee have power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint its own Chairman

4. RETIRED BISHOPS

The Committee recommend to the House that on retirement from membership of the House Bishops should be allowed to sit on the steps of the Throne and take full advantage of the facilities of the House available to Members of the House outside the Chamber.

5. PRAYERS

Psalms

The Committee recommend that the procedure whereby the Lord Bishop reading prayers has a choice of five Psalms (24, 46, 67, 93 and 111) instead of being tied to one only (67) should be continued.

6. PARLIAMENT OFFICE

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of a review of certain posts in the Parliament Office.

The Committee authorised:——

  1. (i) The payment of a responsibility allowance from 1st January 1971 to Mr. C. K. Stevens, the Higher Executive Officer who assists the Clerk of the Journals.
  2. (ii) Additional posts of:—
    1. (a) A Shorthand Typist Grade I for the Registry;
    2. (b) An additional Office Assistant for Hansard and general duties in the Parliament Office;
    3. (c) A Personal Secretary to the Principal Clerk of Public Bills and as assistant to the Secretary to the Clerk of the Parliaments.

7. HANSARD REPORTING STAFF

The Committee considered the extra work resulting from the late sittings of the House and authorised:—

  1. (a) special payments to the Editor, Assistant Editor, Sub-Editors and permanent Reporters;
  2. (b) payment of attendance fees to the Hansard Editorial staff when the House of Lords sits after 10.30 p.m. with effect from 1st May 1971 until the rising of the House for the Summer Recess.

The Committee also sanctioned the employment of additional temporary Reporters and other temporary staff until the Summer Recess.

8. REVISED SCALES OF PAY

The Committee sanctioned the application of the following Establishment Circulars:

  1. (a) D.E.O. (71) (Conditions of Service) No. 4 dated 9th March 1971— Night and Shift Disturbance Payments;
  2. (b) D.E.O. (71) (PAY) No. 3 dated 14th April 1971—Central Pay Increase;
  3. (c) D.E.O. (71) (PAY) No. 5 dated 27th April 1971—London Weighting;
  4. (d) D.E.O. (71) (PAY) No. 6 dated 29th April 1971—Proficiency Payments to applicable staff of the House of Lords.

The Committee also sanctioned a consequential increase in two superannuation awards.

9. TYPING ASSISTANCE FOR THE SECURITY COORDINATOR

The Committee authorised the payment of a share of the cost of typing assistance for the Security Co-Ordinator in connection with the issue of passes to staff employed in the Palace of Westminster.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be agreed to. In moving this Motion, I think I should inform the House, that, if your Lordships agree to this Report, it is proposed that the noble Lord, Lord Kelburn, should do his filming on Friday, when the House is not sitting and complete it, if necessary, on Saturday.

Moved, That the Report be agreed to. —(The Earl of Listowel.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.