§ Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
§ Mr. Alistair Darling (Edinburgh, Central)I should like to raise one point on clause 1. I know that the Committee will want to debate the first amendment on registration in some detail so I shall make this a short point. Perhaps the Home Secretary could tell us how many extra commissioners he expects to be appointed under the Bill's provisions. Who will they be and when does he expect them to be appointed and in a position to start their work?
The Secretary of State will be aware that on Second Reading it was suggested that commissioners did not sit as often as they might. Given the scope of, for example, clause 3, a great deal of work will have to be carried out between now and the end of 1994. It would be helpful if the Secretary of State could tell us briefly when those people are expected to be in post.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Kenneth Clarke)The answer to the hon. Gentleman's query is that I do not at present anticipate the appointment of any extra commissioners to deliver the Bill. We believe that the statutory timetable laid down in the Bill can be delivered by the existing commissioners if they are enabled to spend a little more time and have some extra logistical support. That would require about half a million pounds more in public finance each year.
The likelihood is that some of the commissioners will meet rather more frequently than has been their practice in the past, but at this stage I do not anticipate that it will be necessary to appoint any extra commissioners. If there were a change in the membership of any of the boundary commissions, or if new commissioners were appointed, I expect that there would be discussions to ensure that any commissioners appointed were acceptable to all the relevant political parties that were interested.
§ Mr. John Maxton (Glasgow, Cathcart)I gather that the Secretary of State does not appoint the Boundary Commission for Scotland. Will he co-operate with the Secretary of State for Scotland to ensure that the salaries, pay or fees are equal in Scotland and that there is equality between England and Scotland in that regard? I should not like to see our Scottish lawyers lose out in that matter.
§ Mr. ClarkeThe hon. Gentleman is correct that, as Home Secretary, I am responsible only for appointing the Boundary Commissions for Wales and for England. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for the Boundary Commission for Scotland. I believe that I was correct to say a moment ago that he does not expect to appoint any additional commissioners as a result of the Bill. We have not yet settled the final details of the salaries of commissioners, but I shall bear the hon. Gentleman's point in mind. I do not expect that there will be any great regional or national disparity in payments.
§ Mr. DarlingThe Secretary of State said that he expected there to be some discussion between parties if any additional commissioners were appointed. Will he confirm that that will be so, as I understand that that has happened until now? Will he also confirm that he speaks on behalf of the Government, given that he does not appoint the Scottish commissioners?
§ Mr. ClarkeNeither the method of appointment of commissioners nor the practice will be changed. They have hitherto been found satisfactory, whichever party has been in power. I say that on behalf of the whole Government, not simply in respect of the boundary commissions for which I am responsible.
The hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Maxton) mentioned barristers' fees. I am talking about commissioners. The assistant commissioners tend to be banisters and they are usually appointed inquiry by inquiry. The number appointed varies according to the workload at any given time. The commissioners, who hitherto have been unpaid, will in future be paid as a result of the Bill. I expect—although without commitment, because we have not discussed the point in detail yet—that the payment will be the same for all four boundary commissions.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause I ordered to stand part of the Bill.