HL Deb 03 April 1979 vol 399 cc1797-8
The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES (Lord Aberdare)

My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

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

The Report was as follows:

1. REFRESHMENT DEPARTMENT

The Committee approved provision in the annual estimates of the House of Lords' Vote for grants equivalent to Recess salary and wages costs.

The Committee wish to record, on the occasion of the retirement of Lord Nugent of Guildford as Chairman of the Refreshment Sub-Committee, their gratitude for the service he has rendered.

2. SUB-COMMITTEES

Lord Ampthill was appointed to the Administration and Finance Sub-Committees in the place of Lord Nugent of Guildford.

3. LORDS' MAIL

The Committee agreed, subject to a review in six months, that the official frank may be used, in the discretion of Black Rod, for the redirection of items of mail addressed to Lords at the House.

4. LIBRARY

The report from the Library Sub-Committee for the year 1978 was laid before the Committee and agreed.

5. STAFF OF THE HOUSE

A report from the Sub-Committee on the Staff of the House was received.

6. COMPUTER FACILITIES

The Committee were informed of progress on the placing of certain statistical records about membership of the House on the computer, and endorsed the arrangements.

7. DEPARTMENT OF THE GENTLEMAN USHER OF THE BLACK ROD

The Committee were informed of the appointment of Brigadier D. M. Stileman, OBE as Yeoman Usher and approved the salary for the post.

The Committee also agreed to the appointment of an additional attendant.

8. SHORTHAND WRITER'S FEES

The Committee approved provision for a share of the cost of extra staff employed by the Official Shorthand Writer for work in connection with transcripts of Select Committee proceedings.

9. PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS TO EUROPEAN ASSEMBLIES

The Committee were informed of new arrangements for the financial administration of parliamentary delegations and agreed that the functions of the Lord President of the Council in relation to Lords who are parliamentary delegates should, in future, be exercised on behalf of the Committee by the Chairman of Committees and the Clerk of the Parliaments.

10. REVISED SCALES OF PAY

The Committee confirmed the application of Civil Service Code Memorandum CM/351 giving increased rates of London Weighting to the staff of the House of Lords.

11. SUPERANNUATION

The Committee were notified of the following awards:—

  1. (a) Pension and lump sum to Mr. G. O. Day, MBE, DSM, Higher Executive Officer, who retired on 30th March 1979;
  2. (b) Pension and lump sum to Mr. F. J. Dine, Senior Attendant, who formally retired on 6th March 1979;
  3. (c) Revised pension and lump sum to Mrs. M. A. Price, who retired after re-employed service as Cleaner on 24th December 1978;
  4. (d) Short service gratuity to Mrs. P. M. Bowden, Personal Secretary, who resigned on 31st January 1979;
  5. (e) Short service gratuity to Mr. S. Mear, Clerical Officer, who resigned on 12th January 1979.