§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cases occurred in non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible, over the last 10 years, where compensation has been paid to any person who is a part-time member of the body who ceases to be a member otherwise than on the expiry of a term of office where he considered that there were special circumstances making it right that compensation should be paid; how much money was paid on each occasion; and what were the considerations in each case which caused him to make the decision to pay compensation.
§ Mr. HeseltineWithin my field of responsibility 18 such cases have been recorded in the past 10 years. This includes three instances where public bodies have been wound up, involving in two cases six persons each and in the other four persons. It is not the practice to publish detailed information on the circumstances of individual cases, but such compensation payments have ranged from £131 to £17,980. As a general rule, compensation is payable only where a member is asked to leave before the end of his original term and cannot make good the resulting loss of income from alternative employment.