HC Deb 21 June 1999 vol 333 cc272-3W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the largest percentage increase in (a) salary and (b) bonus payments paid to staff earning over £50,000 in the House of Commons in the last year for which figures are available. [87464]

Mr. Kirkwood

[holding answer 18 June 1999](a) In the year 1999–2000, the highest percentage increase in salary to a member of staff earning over £50,000, including a special performance award, was 10.2 per cent. (b) The highest bonus or special performance award was equal to 5.4 per cent. of salary.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many House of Commons staff in the £50,000 to £200,000 salary range in the financial years(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1997–98 received percentage pay awards in excess of those given to non-Senior Civil Service grades. [87466]

Mr. Kirkwood

[holding answer 18 June 1999]There are four groups of House of Commons staff covered by separate pay settlements each year. They are the Senior Commons Staff (SCS), staff in the main structure (Pay Bands A to E), the Refreshment Department Catering Staff and the Works Directorate Craft Staff.

The pay of the Senior Commons Staff is directly linked to that of the Senior Civil Service. The pay of the other groups is kept broadly in line with civil service rates of pay. The pay awards for staff in the SCS and Pay Bands A to E are performance related, whereas staff in the Craft and Catering Bands are paid a rate for the job.

In the years 1997–98 and 1998–99, the percentage increases for most of the staff in Pay Bands A to E were higher than those for the SCS Staff. No staff in the SCS pay bands received a percentage increase higher than the highest percentage increases paid in Pay Bands A to E.

In 1997–98 and 1998–99, the average percentage increases for staff in the Catering and Craft pay bands were higher than the average non-performance (new money) increases, excluding the self-financing performance elements, for the SCS and Bands A to E. Because of the operation of the performance systems, it is not possible to make meaningful comparisons of percentage increases on an individual basis.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many House of Commons staff earn more than £100,000 per year. [87465]

Mr. Kirkwood

[holding answer 18 June 1999]Only one member of staff of the House earns more than £100,000 a year. This information is published in the Commission's Annual Report.