§ Q1. Mr. Ellisasked the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to set up an independent committee to inquire into the existing scope of the duties and responsibilities of Members of Parliament and to recommend measures whereby Members could be assisted in the discharge of these duties and responsibilities and the public could be informed of those interests of Members for which they receive payment in addition to their Parliamentary salary.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)On the remuneration of Members I would refer my hon. Friend to what I said in the House on 11th March. On the disclosure of Members' interests I would refer to my statement in the House on 26th March.
§ Mr. EllisMy right hon. Friend has forgotten certain other parts of the Question relating to duties and assistance in the discharge of those duties. Whatever the merits of outside jobs, to many hon. Members this is a full-time occupation. Not only are we getting mud slung at us, but the more diligent an hon. Member is in pursuing his duties the more it costs him to discharge those duties. We are asking, not for more money, but for better facilities so that we can give the public a better service. If the Government will not accept the evidence—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Questions, however important, must be brief.
§ Mr. EllisI am sorry, Mr. Speaker. If the Government will not accept the evidence of hon. Members, perhaps we can have some independent people from 650 outside to tell the public exactly what is needed.
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend is making a fair point, but when I use the phrase "remuneration of Members" I naturally intend that to include any help to be given in a form other than an increase in remuneration to deal with help to hon. Members in the pursuance of their duties. This is being continually considered by the Services Committee, and in other ways. I accept that my hon. Friend has a point.