HC Deb 25 October 1993 vol 230 c406W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many employees of hon. Members are paid out of the office costs allowance; and how many hon. Members have given their employees a contract of employment.

Mr. Newton

At 30 September 1993, 1,656 employees of hon. Members were directly paid salaries which were charged to the employing Members' office costs allowance. A total of 617 hon. Members have given one or more of their employees a contract of employment.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many individuals currently in receipt of employee payments from the office costs allowance are married or otherwise related to current hon. Members.

Mr. Newton

This information is not available.

Mr. Allen

To 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. Newton

Twenty-four Members have not lodged a copy of the contract of employment in respect of any of their staff who are classified as employees.

Copies of contracts have not been sent to the Fees Office in respect of 264 employees of Members. The Fees Office continually monitors the position and periodically reminds hon. Members of their obligation to provide contracts.

I am not aware of any Members who have refused to issue contracts and I have no plans to make a statement.