HL Deb 25 June 1997 vol 580 c167WA
Viscount Exmouth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In relation to those Members of Parliament who lost their seats in the 1997 general election, how many received severance payment in connection with their work as MPs; and how much each former Member received.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Two hundred and forty-five former Members had claimed resettlement grants by 23 June 1997. Such grants are available to all Members who left the House at the election, whether or not they contested seats. In accordance with the Resolution of the House of Commons of 22 May 1991(Official Report, cols. 1036–1038), grants vary between 50 per cent. and 100 per cent. of annual salary immediately before the dissolution (£43,860), depending on the Member's age and length of service.