HL Deb 14 December 1977 vol 387 cc2116-9

2.51 p.m.

The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES (Lord Aberdare)

My Lords, I beg to move that the First Report from the Select Committee be agreed to. I think that I should draw your Lordships' attention to item No. 3. The Committee were informed that the Queen has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Sir David House to succeed Sir Frank Twiss as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Serjeant-at-Arms with effect from 10th January 1978. I understand that we shall have an opportunity when we reassemble after Christmas to express our thanks to Sir Frank Twiss for his outstanding services to this House. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to say any more this afternoon. My Lords, I beg to move.

Moved, That the First Report from the Select Committee be agreed to.—(Lord Aberdare.)

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 the Parliaments and the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.

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.

(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.

(g) Sub-Committee on Computers

With the Clerk of the Parliaments.

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

2 GIFT OF A PAINTING

The Committee accepted, on behalf of the House, the gift of a painting of the Silver Jubilee ceremony in Westminster Hall offered by the Lord Great Chamberlain.

3. BLACK ROD

The Committee were informed that the Queen has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Sir David House to succeed Sir Frank Twiss as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Serjeant-at-Arms with effect from 10th January 1978.

The Committee agreed that Sir David House be appointed additionally as Agent to the Administration Sub-Committee to carry out on their behalf the control of the accommodation and services in the House of Lords area of the Palace of Westminster.

The Committee authorised the salary and emoluments for the combined posts of Gentleman Usher, Serjeant-at-Arms and Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain which would now become pensionable.

The Committee wish to record, on the occasion of the retirement of Sir Frank Twiss, their gratitude for the assistance that they have received from him during the seven years he has served as Agent to the Administration Sub-Committee.

4. PARLIAMENT OFFICE

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee that he had promoted Mr. J. V. D. Webb to be Principal Clerk of the Judicial Office and Taxing Officer for Judicial Costs from 1st August 1977 and Mr. P. D. G. Hayter to be Chief Clerk from 4th November 1977 to fill the consequential vacancy resulting from the promotion of Mr. Webb.

The Committee were also informed of the secondment of Mr. C. H. Cumming-Bruce, a Senior Clerk, as Secretary to the Leader of the House and Government Chief Whip in the place of Mr. Hayter and of the appointments of Mr. Douglas Finlay Slater as Clerk from 1st October 1977 and Mr. Jonathan Christopher Morgan as Assistant Clerk of the Records (Sound Archives) from 1st November 1977.

The Committee approved provision for the payment of staff training and educational expenses.

5. REVISED SCALES OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES

The Committee confirmed the application of Civil Service Code Memorandum CM/262 dated 10th August 1977 introducing revised rates of meal allowances payable to applicable staff of the House of Lords.

6. SOCIETY OF CLERKS-AT-THE-TABLE IN

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTS

The Committee approved an increase in the annual contribution towards the expenses of the Society.

7. ATTENDANTS

The Committee authorised the employment of an additional Attendant.

8. SOCIAL SECURITY PENSIONS ACT 1975

The Committee approved changes to be made to the House of Lords Pension Scheme to meet the requirements for contracting-out of the additional pension element of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975.

The Committee affirmed:—

  1. (a) that the provisions of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, laid before Parliament on 15th June 1972 under the Superannuation Act 1972 together with all changes and amendments to that Scheme, be applied to the staff of the House of Lords, and
  2. (b) that the Chairman of Committees and the Clerk of the Parliaments be delegated the power to authorise the payment of any benefit that is calculated in accordance with such provisions and which falls due to a member of the House of Lords staff.

The Committee were informed that the staff of the House of Lords Refreshment Department were not to be contracted-out of the additional pension element of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975.

9. SUPERANNUATION

The Committee were notified of the following awards:—

  1. (a) Revised pension and lump sum to Mr. H. A. M. Kemp, B.E.M., former Principal Doorkeeper, who retired after re-employed service as Clerical Officer on 31st August 1977.
  2. (b) Revised pension and lump suns to Mr. C. D. Maxted, M.M., who retired after re-employed service as Doorkeeper on 5th October 1977.

On Question, Motion agreed to.