§ 3.42 p.m.
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Lord Soames) rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 9th July, be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, the draft order now before the House is designed to increase the pay of Ministers and office holders this year in line with proposals announced by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in another place last week. The order provides for the payment of one half of the increases recommended by the Review 1509 Body on Top Salaries in their 12th Report. The salary levels so recommended will, however, count in full for pension purposes. The balance of the increase will be paid in two equal instalments next year and the year after, for which separate orders will be required. These increases are on the same basis as those proposed for the Members of another place. The order is made under the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975, and the operative date of the increase will be the date on which the order is made, which is expected to be Thursday next, 26th July.
§ There is one point that I should specifically like to mention on the detail of the order. As your Lordships know, the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor have said that they will not currently be drawing any increase in salary. Consequently, the order does not provide for an increase in their case. My Lords, I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the draft Ministerial and other Salaries and Pensions Order 1979, laid before the House on 9th July, be approved.—(Lord Soames.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.