HC Deb 14 February 1980 vol 978 cc740-4W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish in the Official Report a detailed comparison of all moneys, expenses and allowances paid to hon. Members of the House of Commons and to Members of the European Assembly.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

The information is given in the following table:

PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF MPs AND MEPs
MP (Paid by UK Exchequer) MEP (Paid from European Parliament Funds)
Salary … … … £9,450 pa £9,450 pa
Notes Notes
(1) Abated for Ministers (1) Dual mandate members receive ⅓ (ie £3,150) in addition to full MP's salary.
(2) Supplement of £546 for members representing London constituencies. (2) Paid by United Kingdom Government, under s. 1 of the European Assembly (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979.
Pension … … … Number of years served/60 Xsalary on retiring None, but Secretary of State may by Order make provision, under s. 4 of the European Assembly (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979.
Contribution of 6 per cent, of salary annually
Travel allowances … Allowed for travel: Allowed for travel:
(a) between Westminster and constituency (untaxed) (a) to each meeting of Parliament from notional point of departure half way between national Parliament seat and MEP's home address.
(b) between Westminster and home (taxed) (c) between constituency and home (taxed)
(d) within constituency (untaxed) (b) between place of arrival and place of work, during meetings of the Parliament
(e) between constituency and local and regional offices of government agencies relevant to the constituency (untaxed). (c) other travel, with prior authorisation, to attend meetings of other community bodies or as a Parliament representative.
(f) limited free travel for wives.
Mode of transport allowed: Mode of transport allowed:
(i) by car—flat rate allowance of 18.7p per mile—by most direct route, or (i) normal flat rate of 0.34 EUA per km (about 15p per mile) for first 400 km and 0.13 EUA per km (about 5p per mile) for subsequent km
(ii) by first class rail, or
(iii) by air, up to limit of corresponding first class rail fare and (ii) official cars from place of arrival to place of work—free up to 20 km, thereafter MEP must contribute 0.3 EUA per km (about 13.5p per mile), or
(iv) by sea, as necessary. (iii) free taxi, up to 20 km
(iv) outside EEC, air fare by most direct route.
MP (Paid by UK Exchequer) MEP (Paid from European Parliament Funds)
Subsistance allowance Allowed for:
(a) Provincial member with London home staying overnight to carry out Parliamentary duties in constituency. (1) 92 EUA (£59) per day of registered attendance at meetings of Parliament and its organs and for up to 4 days (or cost of alternative return travel) in between meetings.
(b) Provincial member with constituency home staying overnight in London or elsewhere in the constituency on Parliamentary business. (2) Outside EEC, 60.95 EUA (£39) per day plus free accommodation
(c) Member with home neither in London nor in constituency, either for nights in London or for nights in the constituency (ie not for both).
Rate:
Maximum £3,866 pa
Research and secretarial allowance Allowed for general office expenses, research and secretarial assistance necessarily and exclusively incurred on Parliamentary duties. (i) Flat rate allowance of 500 EUA (£308) per month paid directly to the MEP.
Maximum £4,600 pa (ii) Further 400 EUA (£246) per month paid on declaration of expenditure.
Members liable to pay National Insurance contributions of employees. (iii) Up to 1,800 EUA (£1,108) per month paid on submission of employment contracts.
Total maximum is 32,400 EUA (£19,935) pa Employees responsible for their own taxes, social security payments, etc.
Miscellaneous allowances (a) Free stationery, free inland telephone and postal service from the Palace of Westminster. (a) free telephone calls from Parliament
(b) free medical treatment required in attending a meeting or journeying to do so, up to BF100,000 (about £1,550) per illness
(b) severence grant equivalent to 3 months salary if Member loses his seat following a General Election or if displaced following boundary changes
(c) free accident and property insurance cover
(d) life assurance premiums paid during MEP's term of office. DM20,000 (£5,000) and bonuses and interest paid at age 60, or (if later) after 10 years' service.