HC Deb 17 November 1971 vol 826 cc409-11
35. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Lord President of the Council when, and in what form, he is publishing, with detailed evidence given to the Committee, the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Members' and Ministers' salaries and emoluments, under the chairmanship of Lord Boyle of Handsworth.

37. Mr. Willey

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Committee inquiring into Members' salaries and emoluments.

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. William Whitelaw)

It is hoped to publish this report before Christmas. It will be a Command Paper.

Sir G. Nabarro

Would my right hon. Friend concede at once that this is now a matter of the greatest urgency affecting junior Ministers as well as private hon. Members in all parts of the House? Has he deduced from the report that is already in his possession that on an auditor's survey I demonstrated to the Committee that my expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily as an hon. Member and in my constituency have exceeded £5,000 in each of the last two years—[Interruption.] Jolly good value for money. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—compared with the wholly inadequate recompense of £3,250 a year? In view of these figures, will my right hon. Friend take urgent steps to get this situation remedied?

Mr. Whitelaw

I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases. All I can say is that I regard the whole situation as one of the utmost urgency, as do the Government. The report will be published at the earliest moment possible and a Government statement will be issued at the same time.

Mr. English

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the very last words that he uttered in answer to his hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) are a matter of perturbation to some of us? Will he consider the possibility of allowing the report to be published and the Government statement to be made subsequently, after we have had a chance to read the report? In other words, will he please not follow the precedent of his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary?

Mr. Whitelaw

I will consider that. I think there might, in certain circumstances, be considerable advantage for the report and the Government's view on it to be published at the same time. However, I will look into the matter very carefully.

Mr. Gorst

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the most important aspect of the report is not hon. Members' salaries but their expenses to enable them to fulfil their job as hon. Members?

Mr. Whitelaw

These are all matters which, of course, can be discussed when the report is published and the Government's views are made known. I would only say at this stage that hon. Members in all parts of the House appreciate the importance of having the expenses to do the job properly, and I am sure that this is one of the issues which has certainly been put before the Committee.

Sir G. Nabarro

Thank you very much, Willie.