HC Deb 17 December 1970 vol 808 cc1559-60
Q5. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to set up the Select Committee to review the Civil List.

Mr. Maudling

I have been asked to reply.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave him on 27th October.—[Vol. 805, c. 25–6.]

Mr. Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us on this side of the House are concerned with the urgency of giving some form of national assistance of lower-paid workers who will otherwise have a very bleak Christmas? Is there any prospect of setting up this Committee in the current Session?

Mr. Maudling

I am afraid that I cannot make a statement about this at the moment.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Since the value of the Civil List has fallen considerably behind the rise in revenues from the Crown lands made over to Parliament on Her Majesty's accession, may we be assured that there will be no increase in parliamentary salaries, including that of the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton), until Parliament has done justice to the Sovereign?

Mr. Maudling

Hon. Members are straying a little from the original Question. If and when the matter is brought before the House all relevant considerations will be taken into account.

Mr. C. Pannell

Among the relevant considerations, will the Home Secretary take into account all those matters which, since 1952, have been taken over by Government Departments from the Civil List? Will he compare that as an effective answer to the mistaken constitutional ideas of the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison)?

Mr. Maudling

I do not think that we should argue these matters in advance. If a Motion should be brought before the House all these considerations can be advanced.