§ Mr. Mike HallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the Government's proposals for the payment of board members of the new regional development agencies. [52281]
§ Mr. CabornAs we stated in our White Paper "Building Partnerships for Prosperity" we propose that all Regional Development Agency board members be paid. The Regional Development Agencies Bill currently before Parliament provides for remuneration of board members to be determined by the Secretary of State. Subject to Parliamentary approval of this provision, we propose to pay the chair of each Agency a notional full time rate of £100,000 per year—this would amount to £44,000 for two days per week. We propose to pay the deputy chair a notional full time rate of £70,000—this would amount to £14,000 for one day per week. Other board members will be paid at the rate of £7,000 per year for two days per month. These payments are in line with those made to members of similar Non Departmental Public Bodies.