PAY OF BRITISH M.P.’S

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27277, 18 February 1954, Page 11

PAY OF BRITISH M.P.’S

INCREASE OF 50 P.C. RECOMMENDED

LONDON, February 16. The report of a Parliamentary Select Committee presented today recommends an increase in the pay of members of Parliament from £lOOO to £ 1500.

The committee, composed of all parties, recommended also that a pension scheme should be introduced for present and future members. It said that evidence showed that the expenses incurred by members of Parliament were such that the present payment of £lOOO a year did not enable them to keep themselves and their families in reasonable circumstances.

The committee opposed any tax relief concessions that would put members of Parliament into a different category from other citizens. It said that since members’ salaries were last reviewed in 1946 the pound sterling had fallen in value to a point where the former purchasing power of £lOOO waS now represented by £1446. The committee recommended that members who retire after 10 but under 15 years’ service should receive a pension of £350 a year, and those with 15 years’ service or more £5OO a year. It also proposed that all Ministers should receive the same payment as non-Ministerial members for their Parliamentary duties. This would require legislation. Pensions for widows of members or former members were also proposed.