HC Deb 24 July 1970 vol 804 cc264-6W
Sir R. Cary

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the criteria adopted in making payments from the House of Commons Members' Fund and from the House of Commons Members' Contributory Pension Fund.

Mr. Whitelaw

The House of Commons Members' Fund Acts of 1939, 1948, 1957 and 1962 make provision for grants to be made to ex-Members, their widows and children according to the private means of the applicant and under the following rules:

Qualifications:

The Member must have completed ten years' service (save in very special circumstances), and be either over sixty years of age or be permanently medically unfit for work.

Grants

  1. (i) Ex-Members: Up to £500 a year provided the total income of the applicant, with the grant, does not exceed £750 a year.
  2. (ii) Widows: Up to £300 a year provided the total income of the applicant, with the grant, does not exceed £550 a year.

Having regard to length of service and need, the Trustees may make larger payments not exceeding £900 to Members and £450 to Widows subject to total income limits of £1,150 and £700 respectively.

(iii) Children up to and including sixteen years of age:

Where both parents are dead:

  • One child—£100 a year.
  • Two or more—£75 a year each.

Where one parent is living:

  • One child—£50 a year.
  • Two or more—£50 for the eldest and £30 for the others.

The Members' Contributory Pension Fund, set up under Part 2 of the Ministerial Salaries and Members' Pensions Act, 1965, introduced an occupational superannuation scheme for Members of Parliament (and their dependants) who have served in the House since 16th October, 1964 giving a pension as of right, subject to the completion of the appropriate qualifying conditions.

Qualifications:

The Member must have completed ten years' service and be over sixty-five years of age.

1969 1968 1967 1966 1965
Admitted to Galleries … … … … 175,238 176,510 168,135 157,211 174,251
Admitted on Saturdays and Public Holidays during adjournments … … … … 456,979 440,678 440,594 406,054 462,848
Members' Parties on Line of Route on Sitting Days … … … … … … 51,881 63,988 55,274 70,152 75,490
Attending Receptions etc … … … 25,397 22,819 28,505 32,181 34,097
709,495 703,995 692,508 665,598 746,686

Benefits:

  1. (i) Ex-Members: Subject to the above, an ex-Member may receive a pension of £60 for each year of service up to fifteen years, and £24 for each year of the next thirty years. (Service in the House prior to 16th October, 1964, up to a maximum of ten years, may be aggregated with service subsequent to that date.)
  2. (ii) Widows: One half of the late husband's entitlement.
  3. (iii) Children up to and including sixteen years of age: One-eighth of the father's entitlement for each eligible child up to four.