HOUSE OF LORDS' OFFICES

HL Deb 04 July 1977 vol 385 cc8-10

2.50 p.m.

The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES (Lord Aberdare)

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

Perhaps I ought to draw your Lordships' particular attention to Item 2 of the Committee's report, concerning the Library. The Committee agreed to the recommendation of the Working Group on the Library that the Queen's Room should be converted into an Enquiries and Information Centre. I beg to move.

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

The Report was as follows:

1. COMPUTER FACILITIES

The Committee approved the appointment of a Sub-Committee and to its proposed terms of reference with the following Lords as members:—

• Lord Darling of Hillsborough
• Viscount Eccles

together with the Clerk of the Parliaments and with power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.

The Committee also approved provision for the payment of expenses incurred by the Sub-Committee and for additional computer typing assistance.

2. LIBRARY

The Committee were informed that the Library Sub-Committee had considered the Report from the Working Group on the Library and supported the recommendation that the Queen's Room be converted into an Enquiries and Information Centre.

The Committee approved the recommendation and the proposals for implementing this decision.

The Committee were also informed of the appointment of Mr. D. L. Jones as Assistant Librarian.

3. PARLIAMENT OFFICE

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of the promotion of Mr. C. H. Cumming-Bruce to Senior Clerk.

The Committee approved the appointment of two additional Personal Secretaries and an additional Clerical Officer.

4. HANSARD REPORTING STAFF

The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee of the following arrangement of the Editorial staff on the retirement of Mr. C. W. H. Blogg, O.B.E., the Editor of Debates, on 1st July 1977:—

• Mr. C. R. Stanton to be Editor in the place of Mr. C. W. H. Blogg;
• Mr. D. A. Dumbreck to be Assistant Editor in the place of Mr. C. R. Stanton;
• Mrs. M. E. E. C. Villiers to be Second Sub-Editor in the place of Mr. D. A. Dumbreck.

The Committee instructed the Clerk of the Parliaments to convey to Mr. Blogg their warm appreciation of his long and valuable services.

The Committee authorised:—

1. (a) increased charges under the agreement with Haynes Secretarial Services for the supply of typists for the reporting of Debates;
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2. (b) revised attendance fees to temporary reporters.

5. OFFICIAL SHORTHAND WRITER

The Committee approved an increase in the fees payable to the Official Shorthand Writer.

6. REVISED SCALES OF PAY

The Committee confirmed the application of the following Civil Service Code Memoranda:—

• CM/241 dated 12th April 1977;
• CM/252 dated 1st June 1977;

giving supplements to pay to Officers and staff of the House of Lords.

7. SUPERANNUATION

The Committee sanctioned the payment of the following superannuation awards:—

1. (a) Pension and lump sum to Mr. C. S. A. Dobson, C.B.E., Librarian, who retired on 1st June, 1977;
2. (b) Pension and lump sum to Mr. C. W. H. Blogg, O.B.E., Editor of Debates, who retires on 1st July 1977.

8. DOORKEEPERS

The Committee approved the appointment of two additional Doorkeepers.

9. SUB-COMMIFTEES

Lord Wigoder was appointed to the Administration and Finance Sub-Committees in the place of Lord Amulree.

On Question, Motion agreed to.