HC Deb 19 June 1980 vol 986 c599W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will publish in the Official Report a list showing which of 10 board members of the Commonwealth Development Corporation received £5,000 or more per annum, which of those were part-time, the number of hours or days per week they give to this employment and which member received a salary of between £30,000 to £30,500 per annum ; what was the actual amount ; whether this employee is full or part-time ; and, in view of the Government's policy of cutting public expenditure, which action has been taken or will be taken to reduce these payments.

Mr. Neil Marten

With the exception of the chairman of the corporation, who is shown in the accounts as having recived £15,000, no member of the board received £5,000 or more in 1979. The accounts show that in 1979 there were altogether 10 board members in addition to the chairman, and that their joint emoluments totalled £14,000. All CDC board members are part-time and, with the exception of the chairman, are paid on the basis of one day a fortnight. During 1979 the chairman worked three-and-half days a week on CDC business, and was paid accordingly. Payment of CDC board members is covered by the recommendations of the Top Salaries Review Board. No action will be taken to reduce these figures. No member of the board received emoluments of between £30,000 and £35,000 ; these figures in the accounts refer to the salary of one full-time corporation employee. Under schedule 1 to the Commonwealth Development Act 1978 the corporation is free to determine the salaries of its employees.