§ 44. Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider making an allowance for attendance at Standing Committees when next considering the question of an increase in the salaries of Members.
§ The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Sir Edward Boyle)Note has been taken of the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. LewisI was rather surprised to get that reply. Is the Minister aware of the present unsatisfactory state of affairs in which many hon. Members are finding it difficult to meet their Parliamentary 759 expenses out of the Parliamentary salary and, therefore, have to go out to earn money, which means that other hon. Members who, because of their normal jobs, cannot earn money in this way, are having to man the Committees and do all the Parliamentary work? Surely he regards that as pretty unfair on those hon. Members who do the work?
§ Sir E. BoyleI can only repeat that we have taken note of the point which the hon. Member has made.