HL Deb 17 January 1978 vol 388 cc17-8

3.21 p.m.

Lord AYLESTONE

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 what figure would be required in view of the change in monetary values to bring up to date the fee of £1,000 per annum currently paid to the ordinary members of the BBC Board of Governors and the members of the IBA which has been the fee for the past 19 years.

The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Harris of Greenwich)

My Lords, based on movement in the index of prices of consumer goods and services, the amount required would be about £3,800.

Lord AYLESTONE

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that whatever changes, if any changes at all, arise from the Annan Committee report, the ladies and gentlemen mentioned in this Question will be involved in a great deal of additional work? Would it not be reasonable to offer them some increase on the figure which has now obtained for the last 19 years?

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

My Lords, I think that I should say two things in answer to the point put to me by my noble friend. First of all, this figure of £1,000 applies to part-time members of public boards, including the nationalised industries. Therefore, it is a wider question than simply that of the fees paid to members of the IBA and the BBC. Secondly, as was made clear in another place just before the Christmas Recess, the Government will wish to look at the way forward when the review body on top salaries makes its recommendations for April, 1978.

Lord PARGITER

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether or not, on the basis of the law of supply and demand, there is any lack of applicants for these places?

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

My Lords, there are no applicants because these are matters for ministerial decision.