§ 40. Mr. HindTo ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on his plans to review the parliamentary office allowance.
§ Mr. MacGregorAs I announced in a written answer on 25 July 1991, I wrote to Sir David Nickson, chairman of the Top Salaries Review Body, on 24 July, asking him to conduct a review of the office costs allowance. Sir David has since replied, agreeing to produce a report by the middle of February.
§ Mr. HindMy right hon. Friend will be aware that many hon. Members feel that they are short-changing their constituents because of their lack of resources, particularly in dealing with the large number of letters and constituency problems that they receive. Will my right hon. Friend put his weight behind the inquiry to ensure 636 that more research facilities will be available by way of additional cash and help in dealing with the large number of matters that we are now asked to sort out?
§ Mr. MacGregorI put my weight behind having the review undertaken so that all those matters could be looked at by the TSRB—including, of course, hon. Members' increased work load. My hon. Friend will know, however, that the TSRB wishes to conduct a comprehen-sive survey of hon. Members in relation to their use of staff, office costs and their views on the allowance, which would clearly include the points that my hon. Friend has raised. I am sure, therefore, that he will wish to make his views known to the TSRB.
§ Mr. Ian BruceWill the House authorities look carefully at the possibility of providing a special allowance for Members who like to keep their staff in their constituencies, in addition to the office costs allowance which is currently paid? That would have the double effect of paying for facilities in constituencies and taking pressure off accommodation in London, so we might solve two problems with one stone.
§ Mr. MacGregorMy hon. Friend may wish to put that point to the TSRB, together with his reasons for it. It would, of course, be for the TSRB to make recommendations.