Top Salaries Review Body

HC Deb 09 June 1971 vol 818 cc1040-2

36. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will now state how many persons he has appointed to the Boyle Committee of Investigation into the pay of Members of Parliament; when he expects to complete the filling of vacancies; when Members can commence to submit their evidence; where this has to be sent; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitelaw

The membership of the Top Salaries Review Body was announced by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 27th May. The Review Body has already begun its work and is giving priority to the review of Ministers' and Members' pay. I understand that a questionnaire which will enable Members to give written evidence to the Review Body will be issued very shortly and that the arrangements for Members to give oral evidence are currently being worked out.

May I take this opportunity to inform the House that the terms of reference of the Review Body's inquiry are to review, and to recommend what changes are desirable in, the emoluments, allowances and expenses of Ministers of the Crown and Members of the House of Commons, including Mr. Speaker and other holders of remunerated offices in both Houses of Parliament, and the relevant pension arrangements.

Mr. Lewis

May I thank the Leader of the House for that full reply and ask him whether, to help the Committee, he will get his Department to collate the various Questions and answers that have been asked over the past six or seven years as the information would be useful to the Committee? Will he ask whether the Committee could extend its terms of reference to include pensions for former Members of Parliament, some of whom have done 30 or more years without one halfpenny in pension? Is he aware that everyone is agreed that if a man or woman has given long service to this House it is about time that he or she should receive some form of pension?

Mr. Whitelaw

On the hon. Gentleman's first request, I must point out that what he describes as my Department consists of a private office of four people. I do not think that it would be able to collate all this evidence but I will certainly help the Committee in every way I can. As to the point about the terms of reference, they were drawn as widely as possible to make sure that every matter could be considered. I think that they have been drawn as widely as the hon. Gentleman hopes, but I will check on that.

Mr. William Hamilton

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government intend to present to the House a package deal in the autumn containing increases in the Civil List, in Members' pay, in the Speaker's emoluments and in the emoluments paid to Members of the House of Lords?

Mr. Whitelaw

What may happen in the autumn will depend on a large number of people. One of the points that the hon. Gentleman raises is a matter for the Select Committee on the Civil List, of which he is a member. On the second point of increases in the pay of Members of the Commons, that depends on the Review Body under Lord Boyle. As for the last point, I do not think it depends on anyone because it is not under discussion at present.