§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council (1) whether he is aware that from October, 1964 until October, 1970 Members of Parliament's salaries depreciated in purchasing value from £3,250 per annum to £2,467 per annum; and that between June, 1970 and October, 1970 this depreciation was 2.2 per cent.; and whether he will ask the review body appointed to investigate Members of Parliament's salaries to take into account not only the past loss in the purchasing value of Members of Parliament's salaries but the current annual loss of 6.6 per cent.;
(2) whether he is aware that between October, 1964 and October, 1970 it is estimated that the purchasing value of the £ sterling fell by 24.1 per cent. and in cash terms the £ sterling depreciated from 20s. to 15s. 2d. and that during this period the cumulative annual percentage increase in the pay of senior civil servants was between 4.8 per cent. up to 6.2 per cent., which latter figure is to again rise in January, 1971; and whether he will see that these details and other information in his possession is transmitted to the board which is to review Members of Parliament's salaries in 1971.
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§ Mr. WhitelawI am fully aware that there has been a decline in the purchasing power of the salary of Members of Parliament. It will be for the review body to decide what factors are relevant to its enquiries and the submission of any evidence by the Government will be a matter for consideration when that body is set up and the question of Members' remuneration has been referred to it.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Lord President of the Council if he will give, from information available to him from international sources, an up-to-date comparison showing the position regarding social security status and financial provisions for defeated members of the House of Commons and members of the West German Bundestag, the French National Assembly, the Italian Chamber of Deputies, the Japanese Diet and the Canadian House of Commons.
§ Mr. WhitelawI think that such inquiries had now best be left to the review body to which, as I announced to the House on 4th December, 1970, the whole question of Members' remuneration is to be referred.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Lord President of the Council if he will give, from information available to him from international sources, an up-to-date comparison showing the position regarding salary, salary review procedure, allowances, tax relief, postage, telephones and secretarial services between Members of the House of Commons and members of the West German Bundestag, the French National Assembly, the Italian Chamber of Deputies, the Japanese Diet and the Canadian House of Commons.
§ Mr. WhitelawDetailed information similar to that requested by the hon. Member was supplied by my predecessor, the right hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Peart) to the former Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Dickens) on 5th May, 1969. I am afraid I could not justify a repetition of these extensive inquiries at this stage.—[Vol. 783, c.40–42.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council (1) whether he will ensure that the terms of reference of the review body into the salaries and 34W conditions of Members of Parliament are wide enough for them to consider not only the rise in the cost of living since October, 1964 when Members' salaries were last adjusted but also the rise in the cost of services and expenses which have to be met out of the salaries;
(2) whether, in view of the fact that in order to adjust the salaries of Members of Parliament on the same basis as those paid to the higher paid civil servants, judges and chairmen of the nationalised boards since 1966 the present figure of £3,250 per annum will have to be raised to more than £5,657 per annum, he will take steps to ensure that this information is supplied to the review body which is to inquire into Members of Parliament's salaries and pensions;
(3) whether he will ensure that the terms of reference of the review body into the salaries and conditions of Members of Parliament are wide enough for them to consider the 61.2 per cent. increases given since 1966 to the judges, higher paid civil servants, and chairmen of the nationalised boards, and comparability with the salaries and pension rights of European, United States and Commonwealth legislators, and for this information to be contained in their report.
§ Mr. WhitelawIt is the intention that the terms of reference of the independent Review Body will enable it to obtain and take into account all relevant information. It will be for the Review Body itself to decide what information should be contained in its report.