§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government's proposed committee of inquiry into the relative pay of public servants and their differentials will be able to deal with the salary scales of the BBC and hon. Members; and whether this committee's report will be accepted by the Government or subject to amendment.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe Government's general approach was explained in the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the House on 16 January. The pay of members of Parliament is currently being dealt with by the Review Body on Top Salaries. The Government are committed to accepting the recommendations made by existing review bodies in the field of public services pay unless there are clear and compelling reasons to the contrary, though they have208W reserved the right to determine the timing for implementing these recommendations.