HL Deb 27 June 1977 vol 384 cc890-1

2.50 p.m.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many whole or main time board appointments were covered in the recommendations of the Top Salaries Review Board Report No. 6, which was presented to Parliament in December 1974; and how many of these posts are at present not filled.

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)

My Lords, to answer the noble Lord's Question I have referred to the 1974 White Paper on Public Boards (Cmnd. 5609). Taking main time appointments as meaning part-time appointments of two and a half days per week or more, the number of whole and main time appointments on 1st April 1974 on the hoards covered by Report No. 6 of the Review Body on Top Salaries was 113. At present seven of these posts are unfilled, although in one case an appointment has already been made to fill the vacancy later this year.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

My Lords, in view of the hopes that the noble Lord held out a month ago, can he say when the Government intend to pay to the holders of these appointments not the rate for the job but what was found by an impartial body to be the rate for the job three years ago.

Lord PEART

My Lords, I said during that debate—which was initiated by the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter—that I was sympathetic to his point of view. Only last week I met members of the boards on this matter. I cannot give a specific date or make any announcement at this stage.