HC Deb 13 November 1978 vol 958 cc1-3W
45. Mr. Holland

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

Mr. Hattersley

In 1977 the chairman received an increase of £104 per annum. The chairman and members received a 10 per cent. increase in January 1978. The deputy chairmanship lapsed in April 1977. The total expenses of the chairman and the 12 other members of the board during the last year were £485.

Mr. Holland

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

Mr. Hattersley

In 1976 the part-time members of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission were awarded the due proportion of the stage 1 increase of up to £312 per annum. In 1977 the chairman was awarded the stage 2 increase of £208.80 per annum and the part-time deputy chairmen and members received the due proportion of this sum. In 1978 the chairman, deputy chairmen and members were all awarded an increase of 10 per cent. of salary. Members' claims for travelling and subsistence in the period 1st April 1977 to 31st March 1978 total led £5,411.

Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what annual increases in the rates of pay of the chairmen of the electricity con- sultative councils in England and Wales have been introduced since April 1976; and what were the expenses claimed by each during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Hattersley

The only increase in remuneration received by the chairmen of the electricity consultative councils since April 1976 is the 10 per cent. awarded this year. Details of chairmen's expenses are not readily abstracted from the expenses paid to all members and staff of the twelve electricity consultative councils in England and Wales and the Electricity Consumers' Council which during 1977–78 totalled £89,500.

Mr. Holland

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

Mr. Hattersley

In 1976 the deputy chairman of the National Consumer Council received the due proportion—as a part timer—of the stage 1 increase of £312 per annum. In 1977 the posts of part-time chairman and deputy chairman received the due proportions of the stage 2 increase of £208.80 per annum. On 1st January 1978 the chairman, deputy chairman and members were all awarded an increase of 10 per cent. of salary.

Details of expenses of individual members are not readily available, but the expenses paid to all members, including the chairman and deputy chairman, in the 12 months ended September 1978 totalled £7,480.

Mr. Holland

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

Mr. Hattersley

The Price Commission was reconstituted on 1st August 1977 with new powers and functions for which appropriate levels of remuneration were set. The chairman, deputy chairmen and members received a 10 per cent. increase in 1978. Members' claims for travelling and subsistence expenses are dealt with in accordance with the rules for senior civil servants; in the period 1st August 1977 to 31st March 1978 these claims totalled £8,885.

Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what annual increases in the rates of pay of the chairman of the National Gas Consumers' Council, and each of the chairmen of the regional councils have been introduced since April 1976; and what were the expenses claimed by each during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Mr. Hattersley

The only increase in remuneration received by the chairmen of the gas consumers' councils since April 1976 is the 10 per cent. awarded this year. Details of the chairmen's expenses are not readily abstracted from the expenses paid to all members and staff of the thirteen gas consumers' councils which during 1977–78 totalled £68,500.

CONSUMER PRICES
February 1974-August 1978 Latest 12 months (August 1977-August 1978)
Percentage increase
West Germany … … … … 20.6 2.4
USA … … … … 39.7 7.9
Japan … … … … 45.5 4.2
Canada … … … … 49.1 9.4
France … … … … 56.8 9.4
United Kingdom … … … … 96.1 8.0
Italy … … … … 98.0* 12.1†
*February 1974-July 1978.
†July 1977-July 1978.

Food Prices
February 1974-August 1978 Latest 12 months (August 1977-August 1978)
Percentage increase
West Germany*† … … … … 19.2 0.5
USA … … … … 36.7 10.3
Japan … … … … 46.2 5.0
Canada … … … … 60.0 17.8
France* … … … … 61.1 8.5
United Kingdom … … … … 104.4 7.5
Italy … … … … 121.0‡ 14.9§
* Includes Beverages.
†Includes Tobacco.
‡February 1974-July 1978
§July 1977-July 1978

Sources:
OECD Main Economic Indicators
National Sources