HC Deb 14 May 1956 vol 552 cc134-5W
30. Mr. Lewis

asked the Attorney-General whether he will give a list of the Members of Parliament who have been appointed Recorders during the last 10 years, the appointments held, the salaries and expenses received in each case, and the amount of time that has to be expended in carrying out the duties connected with these appointments.

The Attorney-General

Below is a table giving the names of Members of Parliament who have been appointed Recorders during the last ten years, the appointments held and the latest salaries received in each case. The table does not contain any figures of expenses, which are the concern solely of the local authorities, or any information about the amount of time expended in carrying out the duties; this information is not readily available and I do not think that the work involved in obtaining it could be justified.

The Table is as follows:

pension of 40s., in 1938, would require, today, a figure in excess of 103s. to restore the same purchasing value at present-day prices; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the present pension rates.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

While I have noted the hon. Gentleman's calculations, he will no doubt be aware that pensions newly awarded in 1938 were in fact paid at a rate of 32s. 6d. in respect of 100 per cent. disability. But on the second part of his Question, I am sending him a copy of the letter which I recently sent to the British Legion, which deals more fully with this subject than is possible within the compass of a reply to a Parliamentary Question.

Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what reply he has made to the representations of the British Legion for a 90s. basic minimum pension for a 100 per cent. war disability pension; what would be the total cost of increasing these pensions to this figure; and whether he will accede to this demand.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his Oral Question today. An increase to 90s. a week in the 100 per cent. rate would cost for war pensions alone about £20 million in a full year.