§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the measure of control exercised over persons employed in connection with the Houses of Parliament, and particularly with this House; how many persons, and into what categories are they divided; 2361W who are paid by or are under the direction of the Serjeant-at-Arms Department, and what is the line of demarcation between such and the other persons so employed; and is there any other individual or body of persons entitled to give orders to or direct or regulate the conduct of persons so employed, or in any way exercise control over them in the discharge of their duty?
Mr. YOUNGThe Treasury do not exercise any control over persons employed in the Houses of Parliament. Control is exercised in this House by Mr. Speaker and the Office of Works. All the officers of the House are under the jurisdiction of Mr. Speaker. The number of those employed is 72, in addition to those immediately under the direction of the Serjeant-at-Arms. Eighty-five persons are paid by and are under the control of the Serjeant-at-Arms. The salaries in all cases are fixed by the Commissioners for Regulating the Offices of the House of Commons. With regard to the last part of the Question, the answer is in the negative as far as this House is concerned. With regard to the other House, I am informed that the doorkeepers and messengers actually attached to that House are under the control and direction of Black Rod. The various clerks in that House (Public Bill Office, Private Bill Office, Judicial Office, etc.) together with the messengers employed for their purposes, are under the control and direction of the Clerk of the Parliaments. Resident superintendents, housekeepers, housemaids, porters, etc., are under the control and direction of the Lord Great Chamberlain. The persons controlling these three establishments are, in their turn, subject to the general supervision of the Offices Committee of the House of Lords, a committee of 40 or 50 peers, whose report on these matters is considered by that House. The payments of each of the three staffs are charged on the House of Lords' Vote. The actual payments are made and accounted for by the Accountant, who is under the control of the Clerk of the Parliaments.