§ 32. Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement about the financial arrangements for staff on short-term contracts during the general election period. [17784]
§ Mr. BeithIn general, House of Commons staff on short-term contracts are not affected by the general election period. Their duties and remuneration remain unchanged.
§ Mr. BanksI put it to the right hon. Gentleman that a large number of Conservative Members will jump ship before the general election and that perhaps a larger number will be going down with it at the election. In both cases, a generous financial lifeboat is available for them. What about the staff here? For example, what about those who rely on overtime payments because they serve hon. Members in the canteen? What happens to them? Would it be possible to have a general election financial bonus for those staff, to go along with the bonus of having a Labour Government after the election?
§ Mr. BeithNone of the House of Commons staff will lose his job or not have his contract renewed as a result of any outcome of the general election. I think that the hon. Gentleman refers primarily to the staff of hon. Members who are not the responsibility of the Commission. He must address questions about them to the Leader of the House. Most Refreshment Department staff will continue to be paid in full during the Dissolution, although they are not 16 required to attend, and they will be able to carry out other activities if they wish. Those on evening duty are on half-pay during the Dissolution.