HL Deb 05 April 1984 vol 450 cc799-801
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Aberdare)

My Lords, I beg to move that the Third Report from the Select Committee be agreed to.

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

The Report was as follows:

1. Chairmanship of Sub-Committees

The Committee agreed that the Chairmen of those of its Sub-Committees of which the Chairman of Committees is not Chairman ex officio should be appointed by the Committee.

2. Security

The Committee approved a recommendation for an increase of four Police Constables in the complement of the Security Force and the increased provision necessary to meet the cost.

3. Printing of Parliamentary Papers

The Committee approved a Report from the Administration Sub-Committee recommending that the Stationery Office be authorised to print Select Committee Reports, Bills, Amendments and Acts on A4 size paper. The implementation of this recommendation should be contingent upon the approval of the House of Commons to the introduction of similar changes in that House.

The Committee also approved recommendations that certain miscellaneous House publications, such as the Companion to Standing Orders, should retain their present size and layout and that Amendments should retain their present similarity in layout to Bills.

4. Records of the House

The Committee took note of the appointment of an informal Joint Committee to assess the need for accommodation for the House of Lords Record Office and the Libraries of both Houses. The Committee approved provision for additional staff costs and expenses arising from the work of the Joint Committee.

5. Insurance for Lords

The Committee approved an increase in the personal accident insurance cover for Lords whilst on Parliamentary duty.

6. Parliamentary delegations

The Committee approved provision for the payment of revised subsistence allowances for Lords travelling as delegates of the House to meetings of the Assemblies of the Council of Europe, the Western European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance.

The Committee also sanctioned provision for the payment of expenses of Lords travelling as representatives of the House to meetings of other parliamentary assemblies.

7. Computer courses

The Committee approved provision for computer courses for Lords.

8. Telephones

The Committee approved the proposed arrangements for the installation of a new Telephone Exchange and authorised provision for a proportionate share of the cost.

9. Staff of the House

An oral report from the Sub-Committee on the Staff of the House was received. The Committee agreed to a recommendation that an additional Staff Inspector post be created.

10. Counsel to Chairman of Committees

The Committee authorised the regrading of the Counsel to the Chairman of Committees and Legal Adviser to the Ecclesiastical Committee, Mr. D. Rippengal, C.B., Q.C., on a personal basis.

11. Parliament Office

The Committee authorised the creation of a third post of Sub-Editor of Debates and approved the temporary appointment of a second Assistant Accountant.

The Committee were notified of the appointment of Mr. A. J. Phelps, C.B., as a temporary Senior Clerk.

12. Department of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod

The Committee approved a revised salary scale for the Assistant Superintendent.

13. Revised scale of pay

The Committee confirmed the application of Civil Service Guide Memorandum GM/304 introducing revised fees for academic consultants.

14. Hansard Reporting Staff

The Committee authorised:

  1. (i) Revised late night attendance fees and allowances for permanent Editors and Reporters;
  2. (ii) Revised attendance fees for temporary reporters and transcribers;
  3. (iii) Revised charges for the supply of typists for the reporting of Debates.

15. Official Shorthand Writer

The Committee approved provision for the reimbursement of a share of the cost of additional accommodation expenses incurred by the Shorthand Writer.

16. Reporting of Law Lords' Opinions

The Committee approved new arrangements with the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for the editing of the opinions of Lords of Appeal and the fee payable for this work.

17. Superannuation

The Committee were notified of the following awards:

  1. (a) Pension and lump sum to Mr. A. Quiney, Judicial Doorkeeper, who retired on 18th January 1984.
  2. (b) Pension and lump sum to Miss K. M. Owen, Clerical Officer, who retired on 1st February 1984.
  3. (c) Pension and lump sum to Mr. K. P. Vesey, Reporter, who retired on 1st March 1984.
  4. (d) Preserved Pension and lump sum to Mrs. E. C. Dewdney-Herbert, Senior Personal Secretary, who resigned on 28th October 1983.
  5. (e) Preserved Pension and lump sum to Mrs. A. E. Kemp, Bar Attendant, who resigned on 6th January 1984.
  6. (f) Revised Pension and lump sum to Mrs. M. McEvoy, Housemaid, who retired on 1st December 1983.
  7. (g) Revised Pension and lump sum to Mrs. C. Mason, Housemaid, who retired on 5th February 1984.
  8. (h) Short service payment to Mr. J. H. D. Scourfield, Clerk, who resigned on 9th January 1984.
  9. (i) Short service payment to Mr. L. Shand, Clerical Officer, who resigned on 2nd December 1983.
  10. (j) Short service payment to Mrs. L. Channing, Personal Secretary, who resigned on 2nd March 1984.
  11. (k) Short service payment to Mr. G. Osborne, Kitchen Porter, who resigned on 2nd March 1984.

On Question, Motion agreed to.