HC Deb 22 October 2002 vol 391 c184W

Members' Allowances

Simon Hughes

To ask the President of the Council, what plans the Commission has to give hon. Members additional allowances for members' staff in order to cope with exceptionally heavy workloads. [73625]

Mr. Bradshaw

This is not a matter for the Commission. The Speaker's Advisory Panel has power to consider this and make recommendations if they consider it appropriate. However, allowances were increased last July by at least 50 per cent. in order to meet the needs of our constituents and it may be best to wait until the new system has bedded in before considering whether further increases are merited.