HL Deb 13 April 1976 vol 369 cc2034-7

2.51 p.m.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be agreed to.

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

The Report was as follows:

1. LIBRARY

A Report from the Sub-Committee on the Library for the year 1975 was laid before the Committee and agreed.

The Committee accepted a recommendation from the Sub-Committee that the sale of stamps to Lords by the Library staff should be discontinued.

2. INSTALLATION OF COMPUTER FACILITIES

The Committee were informed that the Administration Sub-Committee had authorised the installation of computer facilities in the Parliament Office and the Library.

3. PARLIAMENT OFFICE

A Report from the Sub-Committee on the Parliament Office was received.

The Committee were informed of the appointment by the Chairman of Committees of Mr. D. Rippengal as an additional Counsel from 1st January 1977 and agreed to the temporary overbearing on the complement from 1st January 1977 to 31st July 1977. They further agreed the creation of a new post of Assistant Counsel to the Chairman of Committees from 1st August 1977.

4. APPLICATION OF EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION TO THE STAFF OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS

The Committee accepted a recommendation from the Sub-Committee on the Parliament Office that the following Acts should apply by analogy to the staff of the House of Lords as if they were Crown employees:—

Employment Protection Act 1975

Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974

Equal Pay Act 1970

Sex Discrimination Act 1975

The Committee agreed, as required under the terms of the Employment Protection Act 1975, that the Offices Committee should be the designated employer of the Librarian and that the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on the Refreshment Department should be the designated employer of the staff of that Department.

5. INTRODUCTION OF WHITLEY PROCEDURES

The Committee agreed to the setting up of a Whitley Committee within the House of Lords and to an appropriate constitution for the Committee.

6. MEMBERSHIP OF SUB-COMMITTEES

Lord Aberdare was added to the Administration Sub-Committee.

7. PEERAGE CLAIMS—SHORTHAND WRITER'S CHARGES

The Committee were informed that provision had been made in the House of Lords' Vote, to meet, on behalf of Claimants, the costs of transcription of evidence and shorthand writer's charges.

8. REVISED SCALES OF PAY

The Committee confirmed the application of Code Memorandum Number 98, dated 8 January 1976, giving a revised rate of London Weighting to applicable staff of the House of Lords.

9. YEOMAN USHER OF THE BLACK ROD

The Committee authorised an increase in the amounts payable for the purchase of items of Court Dress worn by the Yeoman Usher.

10. NEWS SERVICE

The Committee approved payment of the House of Lords' share of an increased annual rental for the teleprinter News Service.

11. HOUSE OF LORDS' FEES

The Committee considered the fees payable on Judicial proceedings and Peerage Claims and approved a revision, with effect from 27 April 1976, as follows:—

(a) Fees on Judicial Proceedings £
Lodgment of Petition of Appeal 10
Entering Appearance 2
Issue of Order of Service 10
Return of Recognisance 10
Lodgment of Petition not referred to Appeal Committee 10
Lodgment of Joint Petition, from each Party thereto 5
Lodgment of Petition referred to Appeal Committee (including report thereon) 12
Application for Order on consent, in lieu of Petition 5
Lodgment of Case, including laying Case on the Table, entering Appeal in Cause List, Bar fee, and Counsel attending 50
Lodgment of Joint Case, including laying Case on the Table, entering Appeal in Cause List, Bar fee and Counsel attending 100
Application to set down for Hearing 10
Petition to withdraw Appeal after setting down 10
Issue of Final Judgment 12
Taxing Fee, assessed on the net amount of the Bill of Costs 5℅
(b) Fees on Peerage Claims
Petition of Claimant 10
For each of the first 3 days on which the Committee for Privileges meets 25
For each subsequent day 35
Order for Attendance of a Witness 10
Resolution and Judgment 35
(c) Fees on Irish Peerage Claims
On presentation of Petition 10
Lord Chancellor's Report 10
Order made thereon 10

12. XEROX COPYING

The Committee approved a revision in the charge for supplying photographic prints of documents to the public.

13. SUPERANNUATION

The Committee sanctioned the payment of the following superannuation awards:

  1. (a) Pension and lump sum to Mr. M. A. Reuter, MBE, DSM, BEM, Principal Doorkeeper, who retired on March 20, 1976;
  2. (b) Pension and lump sum to Mr. S. H. Weston, Doorkeeper, who retired on February 19, 1976;
  3. (c) Pension and lump sum to Mr. P. A. Atchison, Clerical Officer, who retired on March 12, 1976;
    4. 2037
  4. (d) Revised pension and lump sum to Mr. F. C. R. Deacon. MBE, who retired after re-employed service as Executive Officer on March 24, 1976;
  5. (e) Revised pension and lump sum to Mr. M. Wager, BEM, who retired after reemployed service as Doorkeeper on March 20, 1976;
  6. (f) Revised pension and lump sum to Miss M. M. Pedder, OBE, Establishment Officer, who retired on November 1, 1975;
  7. (g) Revised pension and lump sum to Mrs. R. Megenis, Cleaner, who retired on August 24, 1975;
  8. (h) Revised pension and lump sum to Mrs. E. Chadwick, Cleaner, who retired on September 28, 1975;
  9. (i) Revised pension and lump sum to Mrs. M. J. Ray, Cleaner, who retired on September 28, 1975;
  10. (j) Short service gratuity to Miss J. P. Culverwell, MBE, who retired after reemployed service as Examiner of Acts on January 1, 1976;
  11. (k) Supplementary Death Benefit to widower of Mrs. E. Perrin, former Cleaner, who died on December 7, 1975.

On Question, Motion agreed to.