§ 35. Mr. Higginsasked the Lord President of the Council if he will specify the changes made or proposed since 1974 in the employer's national insurance contribution payable by a Member of Parliament employing a full-time secretary; whether he accepts that such costs should not be paid out of a Member of Parliament's own salary; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FootThe national insurance contribution paid by an hon. Member in respect of a full-time secretary since 1974 will have depended on the level of the secretary's salary, and I will be writing to the hon. Member setting out the appropriate rates.
As the hon. Member will know, the secretarial allowance payable in addition to the Member's salary is specifically designed to cover, amongst other things, the costs associated with the employment of a secretary. I am aware of the hon. Member's views on the adequacy of this allowance and I will ensure that the question of increased national insurance contributions is considered in the next full review.