HC Deb 08 November 1978 vol 957 cc215-7W
19. Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what annual increases in the rates of pay of the chairman, deputy chairman and members of the Housing Corporation have been introduced since April 1976; and what expenses were claimed by each during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Shore

The annual rate of pay of the chairman was increased by £125.28 and the deputy chairman by £83.52, with effect from 1st January 1977.

The rate of pay of the chairman, deputy chairman and other members of the corporation is to be increased by 10 per cent. as from 1st January 1978 and will then be £8,058, £4,316 and £1,100 respectively.

The expenses claimed by the board of the corporation for the 12 months ending on 31st October 1978, totalled £3,065, and was mainly incurred in travelling expenses.

Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what annual increases in the rates of pay of the chairman and members of the National Water Council and the chairmen of the regional water authorities have been introduced since April 1976; and what expenses were claimed by each during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Shore

With effect from 1st August 1976 the chairman of the National Water Council and the chairmen of the regional water authorities had an increase of £208.80 in their full time equivalent salary rate in line with stage 2 of the counter inflation policy. They received a further increase of 10 per cent., as from 1st January 1978, in accordance with the Government's decision on the implementation of the recommendations in Report No. 10 of the Top Salaries Review Body. From the same date some adjustments were made in the time input basis on which chairmen's actual salaries are calculated. No increase has yet been authorised in the £1,000 paid to the members of the National Water Council.

Expenses claims are matters for the National Water Council and regional water authorities as appropriate, and the hon. Member may like to refer the last part of his Question to them.

Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what annual increases in the rates of pay of the chairman, deputy chairman and members of the Commission for New Towns have been introduced since April 1976; and what expenses were claimed by each during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Shore

The rates of pay of the chairman and deputy chairman of the Commission for the New Towns were increased, from 1st January 1977, by the fraction of £208.80 a year appropriate to their time commitment to the work of the commission. For the chairman—two days a week—this was £83.52 a year; for the deputy chairman—one day a week—£41.76 a year. The rates of pay are being further increased, with effect from 1st January 1978, by 10 per cent.

The rates of pay of the members of the commission are being increased, with effect from 1st January 1978, by 10 per cent.

Expenses of the chairman, deputy chairman and members are paid by the commission, not by my Department.

Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what annual increases in the rates of pay of the chairman and members of the Location of Offices Bureau have been introduced since April 1976; and what expenses were claimed by each during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Shore

The chairman's salary was increased by £104 per annum with effect from 1st January 1977 and by a further £377 per annum with effect from 1st January 1978. Members' salaries were not increased during this period. The bureau's latest accounts are for the year ending 31st March 1978 and show payments to members, not individually identified, for "travelling and entertainment" totalling £790.

Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what annual increases in the rates of pay of the chairman and deputy chairman of the Countryside Commission have been introduced since April 1976; and what were the expenses claimed by each during the last year for which figures were available.

Mr. Shore

The rates of pay of the chairman and deputy chairman of the Countryside Commission were increased, from 1st August 1976, by the fraction of £208.80 per annum appropriate to their commitment to the work of the commission, namely; chairman—three days per week—by £125.28 per anum; deputy chairman—2½ days per week—by £104.40 per annum. The rates were further increased from 1st August 1977 by 10 per cent.

During the year 1977–78 the chairman received £3,100 in travel expenses and subsistence allowances; no claims were made by the deputy chairman.