HC Deb 23 October 2000 vol 355 cc68-9W
Mr. Pound

To ask the Prime Minister what plans there are to review the arrangements for the pay of hon. Members and Ministers; and if he will make a statement. [134321]

The Prime Minister

A review of parliamentary pay carried out by the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) in 1996 included a recommendation, accepted by the Government, that parliamentary pay should be reviewed every three years, starting in 2000. The Chairman of the SSRB, Sir Michael Perry has informed the Government that the SSRB are ready to undertake such a review. I have written to Sir Michael confirming that the Government would like to see the following areas covered in the report:

  1. (i) the salary of Members of the House of Commons
  2. (ii) the salaries of Ministers and other office-holders
  3. (iii) the rate and structure of Peers' expenses allowances including the Secretarial allowance for Ministers and other paid office-holders in the House of Lords
  4. (iv) the Office Costs Allowance in the House of Commons.

In addition, I have requested the SSRB to consider the present system of calculating the Resettlement Grant.

I look forward to receiving recommendations from the SSRB early next year.