HL Deb 04 December 1990 vol 524 cc173-4

7.56 p.m.

Lord Hesketh rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 13th November be approved [2nd Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Lord said: My Lords, as your Lordships may know, under the terms of the Resolution of another place of 21st July 1987, parliamentary salaries will increase by 8.5 per cent. on 1st January 1991 in line with Civil Service rates for Grade 6s. Our intention is that Ministers and paid office holders both in this House and in the Commons will also receive an increase of 8.5 per cent. in their official salary from the same date.

The draft order which I laid before your Lordships' House on 13th November determines the revised salaries we propose for Ministers and paid office holders. In a Written Answer given to the House on 13th November my noble friend the Lord Privy Seal set out in detail all the changes which we envisage. Ministers and paid office holders would receive cash increases varying from £1,359 to £3,974, depending on their office, in addition to the increase of £1,708 in the reduced parliamentary salary for Commons Ministers. The Lords Ministers' increases will range from £2,548 to £3,790. The total increase in ministerial and paid office holders' salaries would amount to just under £265,000, which is equivalent to 8.5 per cent. of the pay bill.

I believe that these proposals represent an equitable and realistic settlement which would be entirely consistent with this Government's policy towards pay restraint. For the past three years Ministers have received relatively modest settlements. This cannot be sustained for too many years without eroding differentials between Members of another place and Ministers. There is no question of catching up for previous low settlements. I commend this Motion to the House.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 13th November be approved [2nd Report from the Joint Committee]. —(Lord Hesketh.)

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, we on this side of the House welcome the order because it continues the understandings which I believe were reached after a period of some dissatisfaction when ministerial salaries and those of Members of Parliament were constantly the subject of public comment because they always seemed to be brought forward at the wrong time; and sometimes, it was said, for the wrong reasons.

The Government, with the approval of all parties, have devised a formula which takes the manner in which these matters are dealt with out of the public domain and away from such controversy. The Minister's opening remarks were very reasonable and well understood. As I said, we on this side of the House welcome the order.

Lord Rochester

My Lords, Members on these Benches have no special points to make on the matter. Therefore, we are happy to accept the order.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House adjourned at one minute before eight o'clock.