HC Deb 22 July 1970 vol 804 cc535-6
44. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister for the Civii Service why he will not take steps to reduce the salaries or extend the working week of part-time chairmen and members of statutory boards who spend only two days per week at their part-time work and as chairmen receive £6,000 per annum.

Mr. David Howell

There is no part-time chairman of a statutory board who receives £6,000 a year and spends two days a week on the work.

Mr. Lewis

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that, in reply to a Question, I have been told that, on average, these part-time chairmen do work two days a week, and there are such people as the chairman of the B.B.C. who does two days a week for £6,000 a year? Is it not a bit too much to tell the dockers that they cannot have a basic rate of £20 a week when people of that sort are getting £57 a day?

Mr. Howell

The chairmen of statutory boards put in the hours necessary to do the job. If the hon. Gentleman has a point to raise about the chairman of the B.B.C., he should address it to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.

Mr. Lewis

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.