Travelling back to Hull on the train last night, I was sat opposite a businessman who was using his mobile ‘phone. He was speaking loudly. I was sufficiently engrossed in my work not to pay much attention to what he was saying. However, at one point I did hear:
“No, no, don’t call it a bonus. Call it a temporary supplement.”
A far more appropriate name for such payments, in fact. “Bonus” suggests they’ve done something to deserve it, whereas usually it’s simply an extra payment they were always guaranteed to receive.
Lord Norton: Do you remember this?
http://www.catch21.co.uk/vblog/2008/apr/lords-of-the-blog
How about another video interview giving an update with perhaps Lord Soley or one of the Baronesses or even all of you.
One thing I am keen to see, and catch21 looks to be a good resource for this, is a roving crew with video camera, nothing professional, just popping in on peers out of the blue and starting off by informally saying “Hi, who are you?”
The peer then explains who they are what they are currently doing, a short interactive interview of about 5 minutes by somebody from Hansard. Shaky camera, no titles, no editing just the sort of thing you might do at home.
As the blog now has video you could post the result online.
How about it?
Jonathan: Indeed. It reminds me of the episode of ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ in which Sir Humphrey is trying to get through the civil service pay rise. Discussing how to achieve it, he is asked by his predecessor, Sir Arnold, ‘Do civil servants still receive merits awards?’ ‘Oh yes’, says Sir Humphrey, ‘all of them’.
Senex: I do indeed remember it. I think what you suggest is a good idea. Catch21 would certainly be a good candidate for delivering it.