§ Motion made, and Question proposed,
§ That, in the opinion of this House, the following provision should be made with respect to the limit on the Office Costs Allowance—
§ (1) The limit for any quarter in the year starting with 1st April 1997 should be £11,591 increased by the percentage (if any) by which the retail prices index for March 1997 has increased compared with the index for March 1996.
§ (2) For any quarter in each subsequent year starting with 1st April the limit should be the limit for a quarter in the previous year increased by the percentage (if any) by which the retail prices index for the previous March has increased compared with the index for the March before that.
§ (3) The limit in relation to Mr. David Blunkett should be 2.57 times that determined in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2).
§ (4) The limit in relation to Mr. Bernie Grant should be 1.33 times that determined in accordance with paragraph (I) or (2).
540§ (5) The limit should be calculated to the nearest pound (with exactly 50 pence being rounded up).
§ (6) In this Resolution—
- (a) "quarter" means a period of three months starting with 1st April, 1st July, 1st October or 1st January; and
- (b) "the retail prices index" means the general index of retail prices (for all items) published by the Office for National Statistics (or any index or figures published by that Office in place of that index).—[Mr. Bates.]
§ Amendment proposed to the motion: (rr), in paragraph (1), leave out '1997' and insert '1996'.—[Mr. Ainger.]
§ Question put, That the amendment be made:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 215, Noes 189.
543| Division No. 196] | [11.57 pm |
| AYES | |
| Abbott, Ms Diane | Denham, John |
| Adams, Mrs Irene | Dixon, Don |
| Ainger, Nick | Donohoe, Brian H |
| Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) | Dowd, Jim |
| Allason, Rupert (Torbay) | Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth |
| Alton, David | Eagle, Ms Angela |
| Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) | Eastham, Ken |
| Ashby, David | Etherington, Bill |
| Ashton, Joe | Evans, John (St Helens N) |
| Atkinson, David (Bour'mouth E) | Ewing, Mrs Margaret |
| Banks, Tony (Newham NW) | Fatchett, Derek |
| Barnes, Harry | Faulds, Andrew |
| Barron, Kevin | Field, Frank (Birkenhead) |
| Battle, John | Fisher, Mark |
| Bayley, Hugh | Flynn, Paul |
| Beggs, Roy | Forsythe, Clifford (S Antrim) |
| Bendall, Vivian | Foulkes, George |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Fraser, John |
| Bennett, Andrew F | Gallie. Phil |
| Bermingham, Gerald | Galloway, George |
| Berry, Roger | Gapes, Mike |
| Betts, Clive | Garrett, John |
| Blunkett, David | George, Bruce |
| Booth, Hartley | Gerrard, Neil |
| Bradley, Keith | Godman, Dr Norman A |
| Bray, Dr Jeremy | Golding, Mrs Llin |
| Brown, M (Brigg & Cl'thorpes) | Gordon, Mildred |
| Bruce, Ian (South Dorset) | Grant, Bernie (Tottenham) |
| Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) | Greenway, Harry (Ealing N) |
| Butcher, John | Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S) |
| Callaghan, Jim | Gunnell, John |
| Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge) | Hain, Peter |
| Campbell, Menzies (Fife NE) | Hall, Mike |
| Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V) | Hanson, David |
| Campbell-Savours, D N | Hardy, Peter |
| Canavan, Dennis | Harvey, Nick |
| Cann, Jamie | Hill, Keith (Streatham) |
| Carlile, Alexander (Montgomery) | Hodge, Margaret |
| Chidgey, David | Hoey, Kate |
| Clapham, Michael | Home Robertson, John |
| Clarke, Eric (Midlothian) | Hood, Jimmy |
| Clelland, David | Hoon, Geoffrey |
| Clwyd, Mrs Ann | Howarth, Alan (Strat'rd-on-A) |
| Coffey, Ann | Howarth, George (Knowsley North) |
| Cook, Frank (Stockton N) | Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) |
| Corbett, Robin | Hughes, Robert G (Harrow W) |
| Corbyn, Jeremy | Hughes, Roy (Newport E) |
| Cousins, Jim | Hughes, Simon (Southwark) |
| Cummings, John | Hunter, Andrew |
| Cunliffe, Lawrence | Illsley, Eric |
| Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE) | Jackson, Glenda (H'stead) |
| Cunningham, Roseanna | Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H) |
| Dafis, Cynog | Jamieson, David |
| Davidson, Ian | Janner, Greville |
| Davies, Chris (L'Boro & S'worth) | Jenkins, Brian (SE Staff) |
| Davies, Ron (Caerphilly) | Jones, Ieuan Wyn (Ynys Môn) |
| Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C) | Pike, Peter L |
| Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O) | Pope, Greg |
| Jones, Martyn (Clwyd, SW) | Porter, David (Waveney) |
| Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald | Powell, Sir Ray (Ogmore) |
| Keen, Alan | Prentice, Bridget (Lew'm E) |
| Kennedy, Jane (L'pod Br'dg'n) | Prentice, Gordon (Pendle) |
| Khabra, Piara S | Purchase, Ken |
| Kilfoyle, Peter | Radice, Giles |
| Leigh, Edward | Randall, Stuart |
| Lestor, Joan (Eccles) | Rendel, David |
| Lewis, Terry | Rooney, Terry |
| Livingstone, Ken | Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) |
| Lloyd, Tony (Stretford) | Ross, William (E Londonderry) |
| Lynne, Ms Liz | Rowe, Andrew (Mid Kent) |
| McAllion, John | Salmond, Alex |
| McAvoy, Thomas | Shaw, David (Dover) |
| McCartney, Ian | Sheerman, Barry |
| Macdonald, Calum | Simpson, Alan |
| McFall, John | Skinner, Dennis |
| McKelvey, William | Smith, Chris (Isl'ton S & F'sbury) |
| Mackinlay, Andrew | Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent) |
| McNamara, Kevin | Soley, Clive |
| McWilliam, John | Spearing, Nigel |
| Madden, Max | Spellar, John |
| Maddock, Diana | Squire, Rachel (Dunfermline W) |
| Steel, Rt Hon Sir David | |
| Maginnis, Ken | Stern, Michael |
| Mahon, Alice | Stevenson, George |
| Marek, Dr John | Stewart Allan |
| Marland, Paul | Stott, Roger |
| Martin, Michael J (Springburn) | Sutcliffe Gerry |
| Meacher, Michael | Thurnham, Peter |
| Meale, Alan | Timms, Stephen |
| Michael, Alun | Tipping, Paddy |
| Michie, Bill (Sheffield Heeley) | Touhig, Don |
| Michie, Mrs Ray (Argyll & Bute) | Trickett, Jon |
| Miller, Andrew | Tyler, Paul |
| Mitchell, Austin (Gt Grimsby) | Vaz, Keith |
| Moate, Sir Roger | Wallace, James |
| Moonie, Dr Lewis | Walley, Joan |
| Morgan, Rhodri | Wardell, Gareth (Gower) |
| Morley, Elliot | Wareing, Robert N |
| Morris, Rt Hon Alfred (Wy'nshawe) | Welsh, Andrew |
| Morris, Estelle (B'ham Yardley) | Wigley, Dafydd |
| Mullin, Chris | Williams, Rt Hon Alan (Sw'n W) |
| Murphy, Paul | Wilson, Brian |
| O'Brien, William (Normanton) | Wise, Audrey |
| O'Hara, Edward | Worthington, Tony |
| Olner, Bill | Wright, Dr Tony |
| O'Neill, Martin | Young, David (Bolton SE) |
| Orme, Rt Hon Stanley | |
| Pearson, Ian | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Pendry, Tom | Mrs. Maria Fyfe and Mr. John Austin-Walker. |
| Pickthall, Colin |
| NOES | |
| Ainsworth, Peter (East Surrey) | Browning, Mrs Angela |
| Alexander, Richard | Burns, Simon |
| Allen, Graham | Burt, Alistair |
| Amess, David | Butter, Peter |
| Arnold, Jacques (Gravesham) | Carlisle, Sir Kenneth (Lincoln) |
| Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy | Carrington, Matthew |
| Atkinson, Peter (Hexham) | Carttiss, Michael |
| Baker, Rt Hon Kenneth (Mole V) | Chapman, Sir Sydney |
| Baker, Nicholas (North Dorset) | Churchill, Mr |
| Bates, Michael | Clappison, James |
| Bellingham, Henry | Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Ru'clif) |
| Beresford, Sir Paul | Coe, Sebastian |
| Biffen, Rt Hon John | Congdon, David |
| Boswell, Tim | Conway, Derek |
| Bottomley, Peter (Eltham) | Coombs, Anthony (Wyre For'st) |
| Bottomley, Rt Hon Virginia | Coombs, Simon (Swindon) |
| Bowis, John | Cope, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Boyson, Rt Hon Sir Rhodes | Cormack, Sir Patrick |
| Bright, Sir Graham | Cran, James |
| Brooke, Rt Hon Peter | Currie, Mrs Edwina (S D'by'ire) |
| Curry, David (Skipton & Ripon) | McLeish, Henry |
| Dalyell, Tam | Maclennan, Robert |
| Deva, Nirj Joseph | McLoughlin, Patrick |
| Dobson, Frank | Madel, Sir David |
| Dorrell, Rt Hon Stephen | Maitland, Lady Olga |
| Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James | Major, Rt Hon John |
| Elletson, Harold | Malone, Gerald |
| Evans, Jonathan (Brecon) | Marshall, John (Hendon S) |
| Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley) | Mawhinney, Rt Hon Dr Brian |
| Evans, Roger (Monmouth) | Merchant, Piers |
| Faber, David | Mitchell, Andrew (Gedling) |
| Fabricant, Michael | Mitchell, Sir David (NW Hants) |
| Forman, Nigel | Monro, Rt Hon Sir Hector |
| Foster, Don (Bath) | Montgomery, Sir Fergus |
| Fowler, Rt Hon Sir Norman | Moss, Malcolm |
| Fox, Dr Liam (Woodspring) | Neubert, Sir Michael |
| Fox, Rt Hon Sir Marcus (Shipley) | Newton, Rt Hon Tony |
| Freeman, Rt Hon Roger | Oppenheim, Philip |
| French, Douglas | Ottaway, Richard |
| Fry, Sir Peter | Page, Richard |
| Gale, Roger | Paice, James |
| Gardiner, Sir George | Patnick, Sir Irvine |
| Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr John | Pawsey, James |
| Gillan, Cheryl | Portillo, Rt Hon Michael |
| Goodlad, Rt Hon Alastair | Rathbone, Tim |
| Grant Sir A (SW Cambs) | Rifkind, Rt Hon Malcolm |
| Greenway, John (Ryedale) | Roberts, Rt Hon Sir Wyn |
| Griffiths, Win (Bridgend) | Robinson, Mark (Somerton) |
| Grylls, Sir Michael | Rumbold, Rt Hon Dame Angela |
| Gummer, Rt Hon John Selwyn | Sackville, Tom |
| Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archibald | Sainsbury, Rt Hon Sir Timothy |
| Hamilton, Neil (Tatton) | Shaw, Sir Giles (Pudsey) |
| Hampson, Dr Keith | Shephard, Rt Hon Gillian |
| Hannam, Sir John | Shepherd, Sir Colin (Hereford) |
| Haselhurst, Sir Alan | Shersby, Sir Michael |
| Heald, Oliver | Sims, Sir Roger |
| Heath, Rt Hon Sir Edward | Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield) |
| Heathcoat-Amory, Rt Hon David | Soames, Nicholas |
| Henderson, Doug | Speed, Sir Keith |
| Hendry, Charles | Spencer, Sir Derek |
| Higgins, Rt Hon Sir Terence | Spink, Dr Robert |
| Hogg, Rt Hon Douglas (G'tham) | Spring, Richard |
| Horam John | Squire, Robin (Hornchurch) |
| Hordern, Rt Hon Sir Peter | Stanley, Rt Hon Sir John |
| Howard, Rt Hon Michael | Steen, Anthony |
| Howell Rt Hon David (G'dford) | Steinberg, Gerry |
| Strang, Dr. Gavin | |
| Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) | Straw, Jack |
| Hunt, Rt Hon David (Wirral W) | Sumberg, David |
| Jack, Michael | Sweeney, Walter |
| Jessel, Toby | Sykes.John |
| Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Dewsbury) |
| Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N) | Taylor, Ian (Esher) |
| Jones, Robert B (W Hertfdshr) | Taylor, John M (Solihull) |
| Jowell, Tessa | Thompson, Patrick (Norwich N) |
| Kellett-Bowman, Dame Elaine | Thornton, Sir Malcolm |
| King, Rt Hon Tom | Townend, John (Bridlington) |
| Kirkwood, Archy | Townsend, Cyril D (Bexl'yh'th) |
| Knapman, Roger | Tredinnick, David |
| Knight, Mrs Angela (Erewash) | Trend, Michael |
| Knight, Rt Hon Greg (Derby N) | Trotter, Neville |
| Knight, Dame Jill (Bir'm E'st'n) | Vaughan, Sir Gerard |
| Knox, Sir David | Viggers, Peter |
| Kynoch, George (Kincardine) | Waldegrave, Rt Hon William |
| Lang, Rt Hon Ian | Walden, George |
| Lester, Sir James (Broxtowe) | Walker, Bill (N Tayside) |
| Liddell, Mrs Helen | Waller, Gary |
| Lidington, David | Ward, John |
| Luff, Peter | Waterson, Nigel |
| Lyell, Rt Hon Sir Nicholas | Wells, Bowen |
| MacGregor, Rt Hon John | Whitney, Ray |
| MacKay, Andrew | Whittingdale, John |
| Widdecombe, Ann | Young, Rt Hon Sir George |
| Wilkinson, John | |
| Winterton, Nicholas (Macc'f'ld) | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Wolfson, Mark | Mr. Timothy Wood and |
| Yeo, Tim | Mr. Gyles Brandreth. |
§ Question accordingly agreed to.
§ Main Question, as amended, agreed to.
§ Resolved,
§ That, in the opinion of this House, the following provision should be made with respect to the limit on the Office Costs Allowance—
§ (1) The limit for any quarter in the year starting with 1st April 1996 should be £11,591 increased by the percentage (if any) by which the retail prices index for March 1997 has increased compared with the index for March 1996.
§ (2) For any quarter in each subsequent year starting with 1st April the limit should be the limit for a quarter in the previous year increased by the percentage (if any) by which the retail prices index for the previous March has increased compared with the index for the March before that.
§ (3) The limit in relation to Mr. David Blunkett should be 2.57 times that determined in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2).
§ (4) The limit in relation to Mr. Bernie Grant should be 1.33 times that determined in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2).
§ (5) The limit should be calculated to the nearest pound (with exactly 50 pence being rounded up).
§ (6) In this Resolution
- (a) "quarter" means a period of three months starting with 1st April, 1st July, 1st October or 1st January; and
- (b) "the retail prices index" means the general index of retail prices (for all items) published by the Office for National Statistics (or any index or figures published by that Office in place of that index).