HC Deb 02 February 1956 vol 548 cc1077-8
47. Mrs. Mann

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of Members of Parliament who are uplifting the sessional allowance of £2 per day; the approximate annual value of this allowance; and the net average value to each Member after Income Tax reduction.

Mr. H. Brooke

On 30th January, 1956, 522 hon. Members were claiming Sessional Allowance. The maximum which can be drawn in the current financial year is about £280, but some hon. Members may draw less. The allowance is a contribution towards the necessary expenses of hon. Members, on which they would otherwise be entitled to claim tax relief, and they are not expected to draw Sessional Allowance in excess of their necessary expenses. The net value varies according to the level of expenses of different hon. Members and their personal circumstances, and I cannot give an average figure.

Mrs. Mann

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that newspaper reports to the effect that there will be a supplementary question to this Question, asking about Members' salaries, are entirely without foundation?