HC Deb 20 February 1990 vol 167 c662W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the level of secretarial and research allowance available to a Member of (i) the United Kingdom Parliament, (ii) the United States Congress and (iii) the Federal Republic of Germany Bundestag.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

[pursuant to his reply, 31 January 1990, c. 183]: Subject to detailed regulations of the House of Representatives, Members of the United States House of Representatives receive two allowances:

  1. (a) one for "Clerk Hire" or US$441,120 per annum (£261,219) for staff costs; and
  2. (b) one for office expenses of between US$104,000 (£61,586) and US$302,000 (£178,836) calculated according to the Member's district's distance from Washington. The average is US$146,000 (£86,457).

Each Member is allowed to hire not more than 18 permanent staff, and not more than four non-permanent staff in his Washington and district offices.

Members of the Bundestag in the Federal Republic of Germany are allowed to claim up to DM 11,600 (£4,091) per month (DM 139,200 (M9,088) per annum) for secretarial and research help.

Note: the sterling figures calculated using rates of exchange at the close of business on 13 February 1990.

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