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Hepatitis "C": Haemophilia Society's Representation

Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:

What further representations they have had from the Haemophilia Society following the debate on 5 June about financial assistance for people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis "C" by their NHS treatment; what replies they are sending; and whether there is any action they will be taking.[HL2423]

Baroness Jay of Paddington: The Haemophilia Society wrote to us on 24 June, to pursue issues raised in the debate on 5 June. We are giving careful consideration to the points made in the letter before replying.

Harcourt Corridor: New Light Fittings

Baroness Hamwee asked the Chairman of Committees:

Why it is necessary to install new light fittings in the Harcourt corridor in the Palace of Westminster; and what is the cost of the installation.[HL2435]

The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham): I understand that the Administration Officer has now written to all occupants of the Harcourt corridor to explain the installation of new light fittings, which are planned to replace the existing fluorescent tubes. I also understand that the budget for that aspect of the project is in the region of £9,000.

House of Lords: Offices

Lord Randall of St. Budeaux asked the Chairman of Committees :

Whether he will produce a map showing which rooms in the House of Lords are used as offices by Lords and which by persons other than Lords; and[HL2368 ]

2 Jul 1998 : Column WA94

Whether he will produce a table showing which rooms in the House of Lords are used as offices; whether each room is used by Lords or persons other than Lords; how many desks there are per room; and which of the desks allocated to Lords are shared.[HL2369]

The Chairman of Committees: I have given instructions for the production of the map and tables requested. When they have been completed they will be placed in the Library and I will inform the noble Lord.

House of Lords: Staff

Lord Randall of St. Budeaux asked the Chairman of Committees:

Whether he will produce a table showing the numbers of House of Lords staff in each department and the extent to which these staff have face-to-face contact with Lords as part of their job.[HL2370]

The Chairman of Committees: I have set out the staff numbers for each department as follows:

Accountant's Office 10

Black Rod's Department 85

Clerk of the Parliaments' Office 9

Committee Office 23

Computer Office 6

Establishment Office 9

Hansard 36

Journal Office (including Printed Paper Office and Information Office) 17

Judicial Office (including Law Lords' Office) 15

Legislation Office 11

Library 19

Record Office 9

Refreshment Department 85.5

In the Legislation Office, the Computer Office, the Judicial Office and the Committee Office, all staff have regular face-to-face contact with Lords as part of their job.

All staff in Black Rod's Department except the 42 part-time housemaids have regular face-to-face contact with Lords. In the Refreshment Department, face-to-face contact with Lords varies, although all management and waiting staff have such contact.

All but three of the staff in the Clerk of the Parliaments' Office, most of the staff in the Library and the Journal Office and about half of the staff of Hansard have regular face-to-face contact with Lords.

In the Accountant's Office, only the Accountant and Peers' expenses staff have face-to-face contact with Lords. In the Establishment Office only the Establishment Officer has such contact, while in the Records Office such contact is limited.

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