HL Deb 17 December 1975 vol 366 cc1439-41
The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES (The Earl of Listowel)

My Lords, in moving this Motion I have been asked to draw the attention of the House to two items in the Report of the Offices Committee. The first is the acceptance by the Committee on behalf of the House of a painting of the State Opening of Parliament presented by the noble Lord, Lord Stamp. I am sure the House will wish me to thank the noble Lord for his gift. The second item is the issue of a notice asking Peers, in the interest of economy, to reconsider their regular demands for papers. For this purpose, a fresh demand form will be sent out and existing demands will be cancelled on the 1st February 1976. I beg to move that this Report be now agreed to.

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

The Report was as follows:

1. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEES

The following members of the Committee were appointed to the Sub-committees:—

(a) Administration Committee

With the Clerk of Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords.

(b) Library Sub-Committee

With the Clerk of the Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.

(c) Refreshment Sub-Committee

With the Clerk of the Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.

(d) Parliament Office Sub-Committee

With the Clerk of the Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.

(e) Finance Sub-Committee

With the Clerk of the Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords.

(f) Works of Art Sub-Committee

With the Clerk of the Parliaments.

With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.

2. PRINCE'S CHAMBER: STATUES OF JUSTICE AND MERCY

The Committee were informed that the Sub-Committee on Works of Art had decided that the statues of Justice and Mercy should be restored to their original positions flanking the statue of Queen Victoria in the Prince's Chamber in order that the House should have an opportunity of deciding on the future of the group.

3. ACCEPTANCE OF A PAINTING

The Committee accepted, on behalf of the House, the donation by Lord Stamp of a painting of the State Opening of Parliament in 1960.

4. YEOMAN USHER OF THE BLACK ROD

The Committee were informed of the temporary appointment of Captain A. P. W. Northey, C.B.E., D.S.C. as Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms during the absence of Group-Captain R. M. B. Duke-Woolley. They authorised the salary appropriate to the post and the cost of providing court dress.

5. PARLIAMENT OFFICE

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of the appointment of Mr. Rhodri Havard Walters as a Clerk from 13th October 1975.

The Committee agreed to the re-grading of:

One Executive post to Higher Executive Officer in the Establishment Office.

One Clerical Officer post to Executive Officer in the Record Office and

One Personal Secretary post to Senior Personal Secretary

and authorized the consequential revisions in scales of pay for these posts.

The Committee were also informed of the replacement of one Executive Officer by a clerical Officer in the Examiner of Act' Office

6. HANSARD REPORTING STAFF

The Committee authorised the payment of increased fees to Palantype Organisation Limited for the supply of transcribers.

7. SUPERANNUATION

The Committee sanctioned the payment of the following superannuation awards:

  1. (a) Pension and lump sum to Miss M. M. Pedder, O.B.E., Head of Establishments, who retired on 1st November 1975;
  2. (b) Pension and lump sum to Mr. D. T. Gethin, M.B.E., Higher Clerical Officer, who retired on 12th September 1975;
  3. (c) Pension and lump sum to Mr. T. D. B. Dayes, D.S.M., Higher Clerical Officer, who retired on 10th September 1975;
  4. (d) Pension and lump sum to Mrs. R. Megenis, Housemaid, who retired on 24th August 1975;
  5. (e) Pension and lump sum to Mrs. E. Chadwick, Housemaid, who retired on 28th September 1975;
  6. (f) Pension and lump sum to Mrs. M. J. Ray, Housemaid, who retired on 28th September 1975;
  7. (g) Short service gratuity to Mr. J. J. McAuley, Attendant, who resigned on 30th June 1975.

8. PRINTED PAPER OFFICE

The Committee authorised the Clerk of the Parliaments to issue the following notice:

The House has directed me to issue the following notice to all Peers in receipt of parliamentary papers:

In the interests of economy, Peers are asked to exercise restraint in requests for the supply of papers from the Printed Paper Office.

Peers are also reminded that they should only demand from the Printed Paper Office such papers as they clearly require for their personal use in order to discharge their parliamentary duties.

Peers are asked to reconsider their regular demand for papers and, for this purpose, a Blue Demand Form is enclosed with this Notice on which Peers should indicate what papers they continue to require, bearing in mind the need for economy.

The Blue Demand Form should be returned by 1st January 1976. All existing demands will be cancelled by 1st February 1976.

On Question, Motion agreed to.