§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked the Chairman of Committees:
What is the individual cost of each uniform issued to the staff of the Attendants' office, and what is the total cost; and
What is the cost of each (a) lapel badge and (b) tie issued to the staff of the Attendants' office, and how many have been made; and
Who designed the lapel badge and tie issued to the staff of the Attendants' office; and
Who decided on the uniform changes in the Attendants' office, when, and for what reasons.
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham)At its meeting on 5th March 1996 the Administration and Works Sub-Committee approved a proposal that the corps of Attendants should be provided with new uniforms in line with recommendations made by the Staff Adviser when he carried out a Review of the Attendants. The aim of the new uniforms is to improve the image and morale of the Attendants.
At the meeting of the Sub-Committee each variation of the uniform was worn by an Attendant and shown to the Sub-Committee, as were examples of tie and badge design. The latter were designed by Black Rod's Department in consultation with the manufacturer.
Further to the approval of the Administration and Works Sub-Committee, the House of Lords Offices Committee agreed to the proposal at its meeting on 26th March.
70WAA detailed breakdown of the total costs is attached. The sum was included in the Attendants Budget for 1996–97.
Breakdown of costs £ (A) PRINCIPAL ATTENDANTS Uniforms, complete @ £389.64 × 3 1,168.92 (B) SENIOR ATTENDANTS AND ATTENDANTS Working Dress Uniform, complete @ £329 × 12 3,948.00 Day Dress Uniform, complete @ £359.64 4,315.68 TOTAL Each attendant @ £688.64 × 12 8,263.68 (C) GRAND TOTAL 9,432.60 (D) BADGES Cost of Badges included in "complete" uniforms above: Unit price 4.94 Minimum order × 100 494.00 Plus VAT and postage TOTAL 585.46 (E) TIES Cost of Ties included in "complete" uniforms above: Unit price 4.70 Minimum order × 107 502.90 Plus VAT and postage TOTAL 598.84