HC Deb 10 March 1982 vol 19 c418W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current salaries of the members of the Equal Opportunities Commission; what proportion of the total grant is represented by these salaries; whether provision is being made to increase these salaries; and if so, by how much.

Mr. Whitelaw

The salaries of the Equal Opportunities Commission's chairman and deputy chairman, the only salaried members, are £22,320 and £12,492 respectively. Other commissioners receive fees of £52 a day for their attendance. The estimated total cost of all commissioners' salaries and fees represents about 2 per cent. of the grant-in-aid for 1981–82. The level of any increase in 1982 has yet to be determined.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to increase the Government grant to the Equal Opportunities Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Raison

The Equal Opportunities Commission's grant-in-aid for 1982–83 of £3.067 million was published in the Supply Estimates yesterday. The equivalent figure for the current financial year is £2.911 million.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will abolish the Equal Opportunities Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Raison

No. The Government see a continuing role for the commission in working towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination and in promoting equality of opportunity between the sexes generally.