HC Deb 14 February 1985 vol 73 cc250-3W
Mr. McGuire

asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the number of officers, officials and staff of the House who are currently being paid a higher salary than a Back-Bench Member of Parliament, if he will give a breakdown of this number by grade or job description in each of the Departments of the House; and if he will give on the same basis details of any allowances being paid, on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis, and the reasons for such allowances.

Mr. Beith

The number and job titles of staff employed by the House of Commons Commission, with an annual rate, or on a salary scale which includes certain points exceeding £16,904, are given in the chart. The rates and scales quoted are those payable from 1 October 1984 except those indicated* which have been payable since 1 November 1984. All scales include £1,300 per annum inner London weighting allowance, except that no such allowance is payable to those indicated.†

The numbers of staff shown include some staff in grades with a salary scale exceeding £16,904 per annum who may individually be receiving an annual salary below that amount. Moreover, there are some staff not shown who receive a basic salary of less than £16,904 per annum but whose total emoluments, including overtime, night work payments or other extra duty allowances, and so on, may exceed that figure. Details of individuals in both categories could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Details of the allowances, in the nature of pay, currently being paid to certain staff in receipt of annual salaries exceeding £16,904 are also given:

Salaries (at 1 October 1984)
Number Grade Salary £
Office of the Speaker
2 Speaker's Counsel *30,800
1 Speaker's Secretary 21,313 25,617
1 Staff Inspector 14,195 18,789
Department of the Clerk of the House
1 Clerk of the House *†45,500
1 Clerk Assistant *†36,500
1 Clerk of Committees *†36,500
6 Principal Clerks Class I *30,800
3 Principal Clerks Class II *28,209
16 Deputy Principal Clerks 21,313 25,617
25 Senior Clerks 14,195 18,789
Department of the Serjeant at Arms

Allowances
Grade Type of Allowance Details of Allowance
Speaker's Secretary 1 Private Secretary to Mr. Speaker £2,091 p.a.
Senior Clerks 1 Private Secretary to Chairman of £3,023 p.a.
Ways and Means
Senior Clerks 6 Heads of Night £3,260 p.a.
Deputy Principal Clerk's 5 Nights £2,570 p.a.
Senior Clerks 7
Deputy Serjeant at Arms 1 Nights £2,570 p.a.
Assistant Serjeant at Arms 1 Nights £2,570 p.a.
Deputy Assistant Serjeant at Arms 1 Nights £2,570 p.a.
Library Clerks 2 Heads of Night £3,260
Assistant Libraians Nights £2,570
Deputy Assistant Librarians
Senior Library Clerks 4
Deliverer of the Vote 1
Deputy Editor 1 Night Duty Pay Minimum of £48.53 per night for attendance after 10.30 pm
Principal Assistant Editors 2
Senior Assistant Editors 2
Assistant Editor 1
Deputy Assistant Editors 2

Number Grade Salary £
1 Serjeant at Arms *30,800
1 Deputy Serjeant at Arms 21,313 25,617
1 Assistant Serjeant at Arms 18,297 21,893
1 Deputy Assistant Serjeant at Arms 15,100 18,789
Department of the Library
1 Librarian *30,800
1 Deputy Librarian 21,313 25,617
2 Assistant Librarians 21,313 24,062
1 Deliverer of the Vote 16,849 23,134
8 Deputy Assistant Librarians 17,578 21,583
15 Senior Library Clerks 11,149 18,789
Administration Department
1 Head of Administration Department *30,800
1 Accountant 21,313 25,617
1 Head of Establishments Office 21,313 24,996
1 Computer Development Officer 19,504 24,996
1 Deputy Accountant 17,529 23,134
1 Deputy Head of Establishment Office 17,529 23,134
1 Senior Assistant Accountant 16,849 19,809
1 Intemal Auditor 14,195 18,789
Department of the Official Report
1 Editor 24,329 25,617
1 Deputy Editor 19,899
2 Principal Assistant Editors 18,666
2 Senior Assistant Editors 18,666
1 Assistant Editor 16,849 18,044
2 Deputy Assistant Editors 17,187
Refreshment Department
1 General Manager 22,980
1 Deputy General Manager 14,195 18,789
1 Catering Accountant 14,195 18,789

Additional Information

  1. (i) Numbers, categories and pay of their staff and their allowances are published in statement 'C' of the Commission's annual report.
  2. (ii) The salaries of nearly all employees of the Commission are linked to those of Civil Service grades.

Additional Information

  1. (i) Nights allowances are calculated on an annual basis over a five-year period according to additional hours worked after 6 pm until the rising of the House.
  2. (ii) Head of nights allowance includes an additional sum of £690 p.a. in recognition of additional responsibility undertaken during night work by the staff concerned.
  3. (iii) Night duty pay for Hansard staff is paid on a nightly basis for attendance only after 10.30 pm
  4. (iv) The rates of nights allowances and night duty pay quoted are those payable from 1 July 1983 and are currently under review.
  5. (v) Nights allowances are not paid to the two recipients of a private secretary allowance, which includes an element to cover all additional hours of work inherent in duties of the posts concerned.