§ 25. Mr. STANTONasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the action of the Canadian Parliament which has increased the payment of Members to an equivalent of £1,000 a year, and to that of the Australian Commonwealth which has increased the salaries of Members of their Legislative Assembly to £1,000 a year and a free railway pass; and will he consider the desirability and fairness to Members of the British House of Commons by increasing their salaries 1640 reasonably with a free railway pass, especially in view of the fact that some Members have no private source of income and have no position in a Trade Union?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have seen Press statements as to increases in the salaries of Members of Parliament in Canada and Australia, but I understand from them that in the case of Canada the increase was to £800 a Session, not £1,000 a year, as stated in my hon. Friend's question. I believe that in both countries a free railway pass is given them, though it will be appreciated that the distances to be travelled by Members of Parliament are in most cases enormously longer than here. As regards the last part of the question, the Government are not prepared to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. STANTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of Members propose to call a conference, with a view to calling a general strike for an increase of salary?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIf my hon. Friend means a strike of Members of Parliament, I hope he will let me know a little in advance.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it true that the Government are considering the question of increasing to £400 the present deduction of £100 for expenses?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat has not been considered.