§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the annual cost was of ministerial salaries in his Department in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 2001–02. [60951]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe level of ministerial salaries are recommended by the senior salaries review body. From May 1997, in this Department there were two Cabinet Ministers, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and the Leader of the House of Lords, at an annual salary of £43,991 and £58,876 respectively; one Minister of State at an annual salary of £31,125; and one parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at an annual salary of £23,623. From June 2001, there were two Cabinet Ministers, the Deputy prime Minister and First Secretary of State, and the Leader of the House of Lords, at an annual salary of £68,157 and £90,562 respectively; two Ministers of State, at an annual salary of £35,356, one Minister of State (the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster) at an annual salary of £70,283; and one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, at an annual salary of £26,835.