§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of the persons and organisations which have made detailed proposals regarding cuts in Government expenditure; to what extent any of these proposals include cuts in payments made to hon. Members, peers of the realm, payments made to Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition and the salaries and expenses of those holding Government appointments on boards; and to what extent a 10 per cent. reduction in these charges would reduce overall Government expenditure.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThere have been numerous representations from individuals558W and organisations about public expenditure reductions, particularly following the measures announced in the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22nd July last, but a detailed analysis of these could not be provided without a disproportionate expenditure of time and resources.
The amount included in 1976–77 Estimates for payments to hon. Members, peers of the realm, Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition was about £10 million; a 10 per cent. reduction would amount to £1 million. Details of the salaries and expenses of those holding Government appointments on boards are not held centrally.