HC Deb 24 July 1967 vol 751 cc7-9W
51. Mr. Onslow

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a table showing the average hours worked by the different categories of servants of the House, including the police, in each week since the Whitsun recess.

Mr. Crossman

Following is the table of figures asked for in this Question for the period 5th June to 14th July.

CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Public Bill Office
Clerks Office Clerks
Week beginning— Hours Hours
5th June 48½ 54½
12th June 49½ 54
19th June 51½ 58
26th June 46¼ 55
3rd July 49½ 53¼
10th July 54 54½
Journal Office
Clerks Office Clerks
Week beginning— Hours Hours
5th June 47½ 54½
12th June 46½ 54
19th June 49¼ 58
26th June 50 55
3rd July 49½ 53¼
10th July 54¾ 54½
Committee Office
Clerks Office Clerks
Week beginning— Hours Hours
5th June 51½ 53½
12th June 50½ 53
19th June 55 57
26th June 56 58
3rd July 54 56
10th July 61 66½
Table Office
Clerks Office Clerks
Week beginning— Hours Hours
5th June 51 54
12th June 50 53
19th June 51 57
26th June 51 54
3rd July 53 52
10th July 58 54

It is difficult to work out the exact number of hours which each Clerk at the Table is on duty for each week, but it can be safely assumed that their average hours for the 6 weeks was 55 hours per week.

These calculations have been done in respect only of those Clerks whose hours of work are linked with hours of sitting of the House.

THE LIBRARY
Library Clerks Attendants
Week beginning— Hours Hours
5th June 48 51½
12th June 47½ 51½
19th June 48½ 51½
26th June 51½ 51½
3rd July 49¼ 51½
10th July 54½ 51½

These figures again relate only to Library staff whose hours are linked with the sitting of the House.

HANSARD
Reporters Office Clerks
Week beginning— Hours Hours
5th June 45 50
12th June 45 49
19th June 44 52
26th June 49 54
3rd July 44 48
10th July 49 53

VOTE OFFICE
Deliverer of Votes and Deputy Chief Office Clerk Office Clerks
Week beginning— Hours Hours Hours
5th June 55 44 50½
12th June 54½ 52¾ 52¼
19th June 59½ 53 52
26th June 50¼ 54
3rd July 58 51 53¾
10th July 64½ 53½ 48½

SERJEANT AT ARMS' DEPARTMENT
Attendants
Doorkeepers ½ staff ½ staff
Week beginning— Hours Hours Hours
5th June 60½ 43½ 46
12th June 59½ 44½ 45
19th June 67 51 45½
26th June 60½ 55 43
3rd July 60* 53 44½
10th July 65* 59 53
* During these weeks the Special Galleries have been closed when very late sittings were expected. This has reduced the total hours worked by Doorkeepers in the week in relation to the total hours that the House has sat. In spite of this it has not been possible to avoid some very long spells of duty during the week. For example, during the week commencing 10th July, 3 men had to be on duty from 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 11th, until 7.41 a.m. on Wednesday, 12th, and again from 9.30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on that day.

The average hours of the three Serjeants are difficult to work out because the Serjeant and the Deputy Serjeant are on duty three nights a week and when off duty are frequently in their residences, whereas the Assistant Serjeant does two consecutive nights a week; but it can be said that their weekly hours are within an hour or two more or less of the total number of hours that the House sits. During these six weeks the House have averaged 59 hours a week. The average hours on duty by the Serjeant and the Deputy Serjeant are therefore about 60 hours per week and the Assistant Serjeant about 58 hours per week.

POLICE
Officers employed inside Palace of Westminster Officers employed on Parliamentary crossings
Week beginning— Hours Hours
5th June 54½ 54½
12th June 53¾ 54½
19th June 56 57
26th June 57 54
3rd July 56½ 55¾
10th July 62 61

55. Mr. Onslow

asked the Lord President of the Council what proposals he has to improve the terms and conditions of service of the different categories of servants of the House; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Crossman

A number of questions affecting the pay and conditions of various categories of servants of the House are under consideration. As I have said in my reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) we have been able to make a substantial improvement in the structure of the Clerk's Department. Formal proposals for improvements in the pay and conditions of the doorkeepers are awaited from the Association which now represents them, and there too I hope we will soon be able to report progress.