§ Q21. Mr. Grimondasked the Prime Minister on what principles the rates of remuneration to the chairman and members of Royal Commissions are decided.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI have been asked to reply.
The basic principle followed is that chairmen and members of Royal Commissions are normally expected to serve unpaid, although expenses are reimbursed.
There are, however, significant exceptions. First, where the nature of the commission's task requires the appointment of a full-time, or substantial part-time, chairman, a salary would normally be payable, commensurate with the level 237W of responsibilities carried. Secondly, if a High Court judge were appointed he would continue to receive his judicial salary. Thirdly, different considerations apply where a Royal Commission is appointed as a standing body and a correspondingly greater degree of commitment is expected from the chairman and members. In these cases full-time or part-time salaries are normally payable, and these are determined by comparison with those paid to the chairmen and members of other public bodies with analogous responsibilities.