§ 32. Mr. Higginsasked the Lord President of the Council what is the maximum secretarial allowance now payable to hon. Members ; and how this figure compares with the cost, including employers' national insurance contributions and fringe benefits, of the lowest paid shorthand typist and the highest paid secretary in the private office of a Secretary of State.
§ Mr. Foot:The maximum secretarial allowance payable to hon. Members is £4,200. The cost of the lowest paid shorthand typist in the private office of a Secretary of State is £2,383 ; and that of the highest paid secretary—senior personal secretary—is £5,415 ; including employers' national insurance contributions in both figures. Both grades would also have pension rights under the principal Civil Service pension scheme. No fringe benefits are paid.