§ 45. Mr. Osborneasked the Prime Minister if he will consider the possibility of shorter Parliamentary Sessions in order that Members of Parliament may have greater opportunities of earning a living outside politics and of feeling the effect of legislation enacted, as an alternative to increasing the salaries of Members of Parliament.
The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crook-shank)I fear that the calls on Parliamentary time tend to increase every year and make any appreciable reduction in the length of Parliamentary Sessions unlikely in the near future.
§ Mr. OsborneSince it is obvious that Members of Parliament cannot pay their own expenses and live out of £1,000 a year gross, at what figure do the Government consider the salary should be if Members have to be full-time professional politicians?
§ Mr. CrookshankThis Question has nothing to do with salaries, but with Parliamentary time.
§ Mr. McLeavyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that only directors, lawyers and journalists would be able to supplement their Parliamentary allowance in the way suggested by the Question? Does he believe that on purely financial 590 grounds Parliament should become the preserve of the wealthy and the professional classes?