2.51 p.m.
My Lords, I beg to move that the First Report from the Select Committee be agreed to. I think that I should draw your Lordships' attention to item No. 3. The Committee were informed that the Queen has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Sir David House to succeed Sir Frank Twiss as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Serjeant-at-Arms with effect from 10th January 1978. I understand that we shall have an opportunity when we reassemble after Christmas to express our thanks to Sir Frank Twiss for his outstanding services to this House. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to say any more this afternoon. My Lords, I beg to move.
Moved, That the First Report from the Select Committee be agreed to.—(Lord Aberdare.)
The Report was as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEES
The following members of the Committee were appointed to the Sub-Committees:—
(a) Administration Committee
- L. Aberdare
- L. Denham
- V. Eccles
- L. Greenwood of Rossendale
- V. Hood
- B. Hylton-Foster
- L. Lee of Newton
- B. Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe
- L. Nugent of Guildford
- E. St. Aldwyn
- L. Wigoder
With the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.
With power to co-opt further Lords.
(b) Library Sub-Committee
- L. Darling of Hillsborough
- V. Eccles
- L. Fraser of Tullybelton
- B. Hylton-Foster
- L. Lovell-Davis
- L. Strabolgi
With the Clerk of the Parliaments.
With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.
(c) Refreshment Sub-Committee
- L. Greenwood of Rossendale
- B. Hylton-Foster
- B. Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe
- L. Nugent of Guildford
- L. Sainsbury
- E. St. Aldwyn
- L. Westbury
- L. Wigoder
With the Clerk of the Parliaments.
With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.
(d) Parliament Office Sub-Committee
- L. Aberdare
- B. White
With the Clerk of the Parliaments.
With power to co-opt further Lords.
(e) Finance Sub-Committee
- L. Aberdare
- V. Eccles
- E. Ilchester
- B. Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe
- L. Nugent of Guildford
- E. St. Aldwyn
- L. Wigoder
With the Clerk of the Parliaments.
With power to co-opt further Lords.
(f) Works of Art Sub-Committee
- M. Cholmondeley
- V. Eccles
- L. Henley
- V. Hood
- L. Ponsonby of Shulbrede
With the Clerk of the Parliaments.
With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.
(g) Sub-Committee on Computers
- L. Darling of Hillsborough
- V. Eccles
With the Clerk of the Parliaments.
With power to co-opt further Lords and to appoint their own Chairman.
2 GIFT OF A PAINTING
The Committee accepted, on behalf of the House, the gift of a painting of the Silver Jubilee ceremony in Westminster Hall offered by the Lord Great Chamberlain.
3. BLACK ROD
The Committee were informed that the Queen has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Sir David House to succeed Sir Frank Twiss as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and Serjeant-at-Arms with effect from 10th January 1978.
The Committee agreed that Sir David House be appointed additionally as Agent to the Administration Sub-Committee to carry out on their behalf the control of the accommodation and services in the House of Lords area of the Palace of Westminster.
The Committee authorised the salary and emoluments for the combined posts of Gentleman Usher, Serjeant-at-Arms and Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain which would now become pensionable.
The Committee wish to record, on the occasion of the retirement of Sir Frank Twiss, their gratitude for the assistance that they have received from him during the seven years he has served as Agent to the Administration Sub-Committee.
4. PARLIAMENT OFFICE
The Clerk of the Parliaments informed the Committee that he had promoted Mr. J. V. D. Webb to be Principal Clerk of the Judicial Office and Taxing Officer for Judicial Costs from 1st August 1977 and Mr. P. D. G. Hayter to be Chief Clerk from 4th November 1977 to fill the consequential vacancy resulting from the promotion of Mr. Webb.
The Committee were also informed of the secondment of Mr. C. H. Cumming-Bruce, a Senior Clerk, as Secretary to the Leader of the House and Government Chief Whip in the place of Mr. Hayter and of the appointments of Mr. Douglas Finlay Slater as Clerk from 1st October 1977 and Mr. Jonathan Christopher Morgan as Assistant Clerk of the Records (Sound Archives) from 1st November 1977.
The Committee approved provision for the payment of staff training and educational expenses.
5. REVISED SCALES OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES
The Committee confirmed the application of Civil Service Code Memorandum CM/262 dated 10th August 1977 introducing revised rates of meal allowances payable to applicable staff of the House of Lords.
6. SOCIETY OF CLERKS-AT-THE-TABLE IN
COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTS
The Committee approved an increase in the annual contribution towards the expenses of the Society.
7. ATTENDANTS
The Committee authorised the employment of an additional Attendant.
8. SOCIAL SECURITY PENSIONS ACT 1975
The Committee approved changes to be made to the House of Lords Pension Scheme to meet the requirements for contracting-out of the additional pension element of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975.
The Committee affirmed:—
The Committee were informed that the staff of the House of Lords Refreshment Department were not to be contracted-out of the additional pension element of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975.
9. SUPERANNUATION
The Committee were notified of the following awards:—
On Question, Motion agreed to.