HC Deb 07 February 1978 vol 943 cc514-5W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council to what extent hon. Members' salaries and emoluments would rise or fal lif they were paid on the same basis as at present paid to British Members of the European Assembly of the EEC in relation to attendances at Committees, travel allowances, secretarial allowances and tax-free emoluments; and whether he will adjust hon. Members' salaries and emoluments on this basis or ask the Boyle Committee to give consideration to this.

Mr. Foot

It would not be appropriate to remunerate Members of Parliament on a basis determined by, and appropriate for service in, another parliamentary body.

In any event, there is little or no possibility of effective comparison because of the differing working and attendance patterns which exist both between one United Kingdom Member and another and between the United Kingdom Member and the European parliamentary delegate.