First Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation
Monday 24 July 2000
[Sir David Madel in the Chair]
Salary of the Data Protection Commissioner, from 1 April 2000
4.30 pm
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Mike O'Brien): I beg to move,
That, in respect of service from 1 April 2000, the Data Protection Commissioner shall be paid a salary of £68,212 per annum.
I welcome you to the Chair, Sir David. It is a pleasure to serve under you, and I am sure that the Committee will enjoy the firm hand of your chairmanship and your good will throughout the sitting.
Since April 1996, the Data Protection Commissioner's salary has been uprated annually in line with the average percentage increase of the mid-points of the nine senior civil service pay bands. That model is used to set the pay of some other statutory office holders and Members of Parliament.
In line with the recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Body 2000 report, the commissioner is due a salary increase of 2.9 per cent. with effect from 1 April 2000. The motion tabled by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will give effect to that increase. I commend the motion to the Committee.
4.31 pm
Mr. Oliver Heald (North-East Hertfordshire): I echo the warm sentiments that the Minister expressed and I look forward to serving briefly under you, Sir David.
The 2.9 per cent. increase matches our expectations. Statute requires that we consider such increases in Committee. I echo the Minister's comments that the amount is appropriate from 1 April, according to the criteria.
4.32 pm
Mr. Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam): I am grateful to fellow Opposition Members who supplied me with some useful briefing notes.
The 2.9 per cent. increase is entirely appropriate. However, it might make more sense procedurally to consider all the statutory offices together, rather than separately. Although it is appropriate for Committees to consider salaries, it seems strange to convene separate Committees to consider each salary. By debating the salaries, we play an important part in establishing the independence of those officers under Parliament, but debating the pay increases together might provide us all with a better perspective and avoid repetitive discussions about the salary scales. However, today's motion is entirely appropriate. I am pleased that all parties support it.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That, in respect of service from 1 April 2000, the Data Protection Commissioner shall be paid a salary of £68,212 per annum.
Committee rose at twenty-eight minutes to Five o'clock.
The following Members attended the Committee:
Madel, Sir David (Chairman)
Allan, Mr.
Clark, Dr. David
Davis, Mr. Terry
Hall, Mr. Mike
Heald, Mr.
Jackson, Mr. Robert
Luff, Mr.
McDonnell, Mr.
Mountford, Kali
O'Brien, Mr. Mike
Pickthall, Mr.
Turner, Mr. Neil
Williams, Mrs. Betty
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