HC Deb 15 July 1981 vol 8 cc402-3W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Attorney-General (1) whether he will obtain from the Lord Chancellor information which will give, at the latest and most convenient stated date, the numbers of peers of the realm who hold any appointment sponsored by his Department; what situation or appointment each one holds; how many hours per week are given to the work connected with it; what are the salaries or expenses paid; and how the latter figures compare with May 1979;

(2) whether he will give, at the latest and most convenient stated date, the numbers of peers of the realm who hold any appointment sponsored by his Department; what situation or appointment each one holds; how many hours per week are given to the work connected with it; what are the salaries or expenses paid; and how the latter compare with May 1979.

The Attorney-General

In the case of my Department, I have made no such appointments. In the case of the Lord Chancellor's Department, and excluding those who hold full-time judicial office, the names are as set out in my reply to the hon. Member on 14 January 1981 except that Mr. Alan Campbell QC, a recorder, has since been elevated to the peerage.

  • A number of other peers hold unpaid offices as follows:
  • Member of Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts
  • Member of Advisory Committees on the Appointment of Justices of the Peace
  • Member of the Advisory Committees on the Appointment of General Commissioners of Income Tax
  • Justice of the Peace
  • General Commissioner of Income Tax
  • Landowner Member of Agricultural Land Tribunal
  • Member, Law Reform Committee
  • Member, Crown Court Rule Committee
  • Member, Advisory Committee on Public Records

The salary of the chairman of the Council on Tribunals, a half-time appointment, is now £10,940 a year; members of the Council on Tribunals receive a retainer of £2,010 a year. In May 1979, these figures were £7,815 a year and £1,315 a year respectively. The fee payable to recorders is £105 a day; in May 1979 it was £66 a day. The holder of a full-time public appointment who undertakes part-time judicial duties receives no remuneration in addition to his full-time salary. This applies amongst others to the president of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Tribunal who is also a recorder. The three peer recorders listed have sat for a total of 82 days in the 12 months to the end of June 1981. Records of the other sittings and attendances and of the expenses paid are not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

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