§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether, in view of the fact that many peers are drawing incomes of many thousands of pounds per year for several State appointments, in addition to their £16.50 a day tax-free attendance allowance, as an example to the trades unions, he will seek to restrict the incomes of those peers, especially the attendance allowances.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisAs I have already indicated to my hon. Friend—[Vol. 916, c. 807]—the salaries of State appointments are the same irrespective of who is appointed. For many of these appointments, the salary increases that were due on 1st January 1975 have indeed been withheld during the period of pay restraint, even though technically they could have been paid since the recommendations predate the introduction of the counter-inflation policy. Peers' expenses allowance is a reimbursement allowance, and I have already explained to my hon. Friend—[Vol. 914, c. 559]—that it is for the recovery of expenses actually incurred in attending another place.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the 226W peers holding full and part-time paid and expenses-paid State appointments; and to what extent they have to take action to ensure that these State appointments do not conflict with their outside interests.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisAs I have previously indicated to my hon. Friend—[Vol. 914, c. 103 and 559]—my Department does not maintain centrally information about Government appointments held by peers.
Peers who are members of public boards are expected to follow the guidance about speaking in another place, which was given in that House by Lord Addison on 21st March 1951. They are also, like other board members, expected to avoid political activities on matters affecting the boards of which they are members. Whole-time members are further expected to abstain from any controversial political activity. There are no other general rules regarding conflicts of interest which affect members of all public boards. The possibility of any such conflict arising is taken into account when specific appointments are considered and in the case of appointments to certain boards the disclosure by board members of their outside interests is a statutory requirement.