§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish in the Official Report as much detailed information as may be available showing to what extent the salaries of Members of Parliament have, over the years, fallen below or exceeded the national average wage and salary in-
MP's pay at date of increases National average wage*expressed as an annual figure Mid-point of Civil Service Principal Grade Scale MP's pay as a percentage of national average wage MP's pay as a percentage of Civil Service Principal's pay £ £ £ Per cent. Per cent. 1937 600 180 (1938) 950 333 63 1946 1,000 315 1,056 317 95 1954 1,250(including Sessional Allowance) 533 1,450 235 86 1957 1,750 657 1,705 266 103 1964 3,250 945 2,588 344 126 1972 4,500† 1,870 4,093 241 110 1975 5,750† 3,110 6,565 185 88 1976 6,062† 3,496 6,877 173 88 1977 6,270† 3,805 7,085 165 88 1978 6,897† Not available 7,760 Not available 89 * Average weekly earnings of full-time male manual workers in manufacturing and certain other industries as at October. †Members' remuneration prior to 1972 contained an unquantifiable element to cover their expenses Separate allowances for these expenses have been payable since 1972.