§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council (1) what would be the estimated costs to public funds if the salaries of hon. Members were increased (a) by the same average percentage as most recently awarded to the chairmen of the nationalised industries, and (b) by the percentage amount recommended by Her Majesty's Government for the lower paid public servants;
(2) whether he will propose an increase in the salaries of hon. Members by either the 10 per cent. to 11 per cent. amounts announced during the Christmas parliamentary recess for the chairmen and higher paid executives of the nationalised industries, or the earlier recommended amounts of between 5 per cent. and 6 per cent. for the lower paid public employees.
§ Mr. BiffenThere has been no recent Government announcement about salary increases for the chairmen and138W officers of nationalised industries. However, the estimated cost of each percentage point increase in the 1982–83 pay bill for hon. Members would be £93,400.
As the hon. Member will know, parliamentary salaries are currently the subject of a review by the Top Salaries Review Body. When the review body's recommendations have been received the Government will bring forward proposals to the House.