HC Deb 08 December 1978 vol 959 cc131-2W
Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and onsumer Protection if he will list in the Official Report the full-time occupation and part-time official appointments held by the chairmen of the Scottish and Welsh Consumer councils.

Mr. John Fraser:

The chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council has no full-time occupation and her other part-time official appointments are as vice-chairman of the National Consumer Council and member of the Royal Commission on Legal Services in Scotland. The chairman of the Welsh Consumer Council is a freelance journalist and she has no other part-time official appointment.

Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether any part of the 65 per cent. increase during the past two years in the annual pay of the chairmen of the Scottish and Welsh Consumer Councils was due to an adjustment of the time input basis of calculation; and, if so, if he will specify the change in time input basis and the increase in annual gross emoluments directly attributable to this.

Mr. John Fraser:

Yes. The increase in the chairmen's salaries of £ 250 per annum from £ 500 per annum agreed in August 1975, to £ 750 per annum, with effect 1st January 1978, took account of at least an extra half day's work per week. These salaries were increased by 10 per cent. with effect from 1st January 1978, following the Tenth Report of the Review Body of Top Salaries.

I am satisfied that the considerable work undertaken by the two chairmen justified the salary increase of £ 325 per annum over three years.