§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members have not yet given any of their staff a contract of employment; how many individual staff do not have contracts; what action he is taking to ensure contracts are provided; what sanction he has against hon. Members who refuse to issue contracts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorAs at 31 October 1991, 35 Members had not sent contracts of employment in respect of any of their staff to the Fees Office. As at the same date, 195 staff of hon. Members were without contracts of employment lodged with the Fees Office. This figure includes both part-time staff for whom contracts may not be required and staff only recently engaged.
In those cases where a contract of employment has not been lodged with the Fees Office all hon. Members. other than those with recently engaged staff, have been contacted. As no hon. Member has refused to issue a contract the question of sanctions has not arisen.
Given that the Top Salaries Review Body is currently conducting a review of the office costs allowance, I have nothing further to add at this stage.