§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Prime Minister if she has anything to add to her statement of 28 April,Official Report, column 506, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde, with specific reference to the current value in real terms of Members' salaries in relation to their salaries in 1964.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. In 1964, Members were required to pay for secretarial assistance from their own resources. Since 1969, the secretarial allowance has been available to defray the cost of secretarial expenses, and if this is taken into account Members are undoubtedly better off. In addition, parliamentary salaries will be increased by 6.9 per cent, from £22,548 to £24,107 from 1 January 1989 in accordance with the Resolution of 21 July 1987.