HC Deb 17 August 1911 vol 29 cc2213-4W
Mr. BOOTH

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state whether it was the intention of the Government, in moving the Resolution relating to payment of Members, that any Member of this House who is at present in receipt of a political pension, under the Resolution passed by this House on 10th August relative to the payment of members of this House should be entitled to the sum of £400 a year in addition to such pension?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

As a political pension would, in the event of the holder becoming entitled to any other remunera- tion from public funds, be reduced automatically under Section 6 of the Civil Offices Pensions Act, 1870, by the amount of such remuneration, no special provision was called for in the Resolution to deal with these cases.

Mr. BOOTH

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Income Tax will be deducted from the payments to Members of this House before handing over the amounts; and what steps hon. Members must take who are entitled to rebates or reductions in the rate of such tax?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, the tax being deducted through the medium of the Paymaster-General's Office. Hon. Members desiring to claim any rebate or reduction will be required to fill in the form of claim which will be issued to them by the Paymaster-General; claims to the earned income rate for the current year must be made before the 30th September next. If any hon. Member does not receive a form from the Paymaster-General's Office, he should apply for one on which to make his claim.

Viscount WOLMER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who will be the accounting officer to pay Members of this House, and by what authority the Treasury propose to direct that official to pay to or withhold salaries from Members of this House?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The Vote for House of Commons (Salaries of Members) will be accounted for by the House of Commons officers, of which the principal clerk of the Public Bill Office and Clerk of Fees is the accounting officer. He will act under the general administrative control of the Speaker, and the payments will, subject to the terms of the Vote, be governed by general Civil Service practice. No special Treasury directions will be necessary.