HC Deb 10 July 1997 vol 297 cc594-5W
Mr. Fallon

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will set out the current external remuneration, employment and business interests of the chairman of the Low Pay Commission. [7670]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The information requested is on matters personal to the Chairman of the Low Pay Commission.

Mr. Fallon

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what will be the maximum daily rate of expenses payable to members of the Low Pay Commission. [7675]

Mr. McCartney

The members of the Low Pay Commission will be eligible to receive travel and subsistence expenses incurred in their work for the Commission at standard Civil Service rates.

Mr. Fallon

To ask the President of the Board of Trade in which newspapers and on what dates her Department has advertised for members of the Low Pay Commission; and at what total cost. [7671]

Mr. McCartney

Advertisements for members of the Low Pay Commission appeared in the following newspapers:

Date
The Times 26 June and 3 July
The Sunday Times 29 June
The Guardian 25 and 28 June
The Western Mail 26 June
Wales on Sunday 29 June
The Scotsman 27 June
Scotland on Sunday 29 June
Belfast Telegraph 27 June
Sunday Life 29 June

The total cost of advertising, including production costs and VAT, was £32,260.

Mr. Fallon

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many members will be appointed to the Low Pay Commission from(a) employer and (b) employee backgrounds. [7674]

Mr. McCartney

The Commission will be large enough to ensure that the interests of employers, employees and others are represented without becoming overly large and unwieldy.

Mr. Fallon

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date the Low Pay Commission will hold its initial meeting. [7672]

Mr. McCartney

The Low Pay Commission will begin its work as soon as possible.

Mr. Fallon

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will set out the terms and conditions on which she has appointed the chairman of the Low Pay Commission. [7669]

Mr. McCartney

The Chairman, and other members, of the Low Pay Commission will be unpaid but will be reimbursed their expenses according to standard civil service rates, in line with other appointments of this kind.