HC Deb 27 November 1981 vol 13 cc501-2W
Mr. Spriggs

asked the Lord Privy Seal what salaries and expense allowances are payable to (a) the President of the European Commission, (b) the Vice-Presidents of the Commission, (c) members of the Commission and (d) Members of the European Parliament; and what rate of tax is applicable to salaries of commissioners.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

Since 1973, the salaries of the Members of the Commission have been linked to the top of the Commission's A1 salary scale, which now stands at 282,929 Belgian francs per month. The President receives 138 per cent. of this, Vice Presidents 125 per cent. and Commissioners 112.5 per cent. They also receive a residence allowance of 15 per cent. and household allowance of 5 per cent. These emoluments are subject to Community tax on a sliding scale rising to a maximum of 45 per cent. on income exceeding 50,735 Belgian francs per month. In addition, the President receives a representation allowance of 34,205 Belgian francs per month, Vice Presidents 21,980 and Commissioners 14,655—these were last fixed in 1976.

The salary and allowances for British MEPs are:

Salary

£13,950 per annum with effect from 13 June 1981.

(Dual mandate members receive one-third (ie £4,650) in addition to full MPs salary, paid by United Kingdom Government, under s. 1 of the European Assembly (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979.)

Travel Allowances

Allowed for Travel:

  1. (a) to each meeting of Parliament for travel between MEPs home address and the seat of Parliament;
  2. (b) between place of arrival and place of work, during meetings of the Parliament;
  3. (c) other travel, with prior authorisation, to attend meetings of other Community bodies or as a Parliament representative;
  4. (d) allowance of up to 400 ECU (£217) month for travel within their home country.

Mode of Transport Allowed:

  1. (i) normal flat rate of 0.36 ECU per km (about 31½p per mile) for first 400 km and 0.19 ECU per km (about 16p per mile) for subsequent km
  2. (ii) Official car from place of arrival to place of work free up to 20 km, thereafter MEP must contribute 0.30 ECU per km (about 26p per mile) or
  3. (iii) free taxi, up to 20 km
  4. (iv) outside European Community, air fare by most direct route.

Subsistence

92 ECU (£50) per day of registered attendance at meetings of Parliament and its organs and for each day of attendance (or cost of alternative return travel) in between meetings. Outside European Community, 46 ECU (£25) per day plus cost of hotel bills.

Research and Secretarial Allowances

Maximum of 34,752 ECU (£18,887) per annum paid on declaration of expenditure by MEP.

Miscellaneous Allowances

  1. (a) free telephone calls from Parliament;
  2. (b) reimbursement of the portion of medical costs not paid by the local medical authority for medical treatment required in attending a meeting or journeying to do so up to BF 200,000 (about £2,623) per illness;
  3. (c) free accident and property insurance;
  4. (d) life assurance premiums paid during MEP's terms of office DM 20,000 (£4,301) and bonuses and interest paid at age 60, or (if later) after 10 years' service;
  5. (e) personal accident insurance of up to BF 7,000,000 (about £91,803).

The salaries of MEPs from other member States are paid, as in this country, by national Governments at national rates, generally at the same level as for Members of their respective national Parliaments. The scale of allowances is the same for all MEPs.