†
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2
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TOPICAL DEBATE: ZIMBABWE
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[Up to one and a half hours]
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That this House has considered the matter of Zimbabwe.
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Debate may continue for one and a half hours (Standing Order No. 24A).
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†
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3
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MEMBERS’ SALARIES (EXPRESSION OF OPINION) (No. 1)
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That this House notes Sir John Baker's Review of Parliamentary Pay and Allowances (Cm 7416),
and is of the opinion that the recommendations in the Review for the annual salary of a Member of this House to be increased
by reference to a linkage to the Public Sector Average Earnings Index combined with regular reviews of the salary and the
link should be implemented, such that—
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(1) |
from 1st April 2008 and from 1st April of each subsequent year a Member’s salary should be increased by the percentage increase
in the 3 month average Public Sector Average Earnings Index for January of that year relative to the figure for January of
the previous year;
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(2) |
the SSRB should conduct a review of Members’ salaries in the first year of each new Parliament unless such a review has taken
place within the preceding two years;
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(3) |
at such a review the SSRB should consider either or both of:
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(a) |
an adjustment to the salary
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(b) |
a different formula from that specified in paragraph (1) above
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to ensure that the level of salary remains adequate for recruitment and retention, appropriate for the responsibilities and
reasonable in relation to total reward for jobs of similar weight in the public sector, to take effect from the first 1st
April following the first meeting of the new Parliament;
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(4) |
each year the SSRB chair should notify the Speaker of the change in salary (expressed as a percentage) and, on such notification
to the Speaker, that change should have effect, subject to any further notification given following a review under paragraph
(2);
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(5) |
the Speaker should lay before the House:
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(a) |
any notification received from the SSRB chair under paragraph (4) above; and
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(b) |
any report from the SSRB following a review under paragraph (2) above;
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(6) |
an additional salary payable to a Member under Resolutions of this House in respect of service as a chairman of select or
general committees should be changed by the same percentage and from the same time as the salary of a Member.
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As Amendments to Ms Harriet Harman’s proposed Motion (Members’ salaries (expression of opinion) (No. 1)):
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(d)
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Line 6, after ‘2008’, insert ‘a Member’s salary should be increased by 2.75 per cent., from 1st April 2009 by 2.3 per cent. and
from 1st April 2010 by 2.25 per cent; from 1st October 2010, a Member’s salary should be increased from that payable on 31st
March 2008 by the sum of the percentage increases in the three month average Public Sector Average Earnings Index for January
2008, January 2009 and January 2010 relative to the figure for January of the previous year in each case; and from 1st April
2011.’.
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(a)
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Line 9, after ‘year’, insert ‘provided that, without prejudice to the calculations based on the agreed formula, from 1st April 2008
the annual salary is increased by no more than 2.3 per cent. and that the balance of any increase due at 1st April 2008 should
be payable from 1st April 2009 in addition to any increase payable at that date.’.
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(e)
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‘(1A) from 1st April 2008 to the conclusion of the first SSRB review provided for in paragraph (2), below, a Member’s pension
entitlement should be based on the salary payable had Members’ salaries been increased in each year in that period by the
percentage increase in the three month average Public Sector Average Earnings Index for January of that year relative to the
figure for January of the previous year.’.
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(b)
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Line 31, at end add ‘and that this House is of the opinion that tax legislation should be amended so as to treat the office of a
Member of Parliament as taxable under Schedule D rather than Schedule E.’.
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(c)
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‘(7) to set the amount hon. Members are paid, the SSRB should conduct a two year public consultation to establish, by job
comparator the level of salary to come into force on 1st April 2010.’.
An explanatory memorandum is available in the Vote Office
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†
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4
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MEMBERS’ SALARIES (EXPRESSION OF OPINION) (No. 2)
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That this House notes Sir John Baker's Review of Parliamentary Pay and Allowances (Cm 7416), and is of the opinion that the
policy set out in the Written Ministerial Statement by the Leader of the House of 17th June Official Report col 46WS should
be implemented, such that—
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(1)
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the salary of a Member of this House should be increased from 1st April 2008, and from 1st April of each subsequent year,
by an uprating formula which increases the salary by a percentage equal to the median of relevant increases for the following
public sector groups:
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senior military, holders of judicial office, very senior NHS managers, doctors and dentists, the Prison Service, NHS staff,
school teachers, the Armed Forces, police officers, Local Government; non-Senior Civil Service staff in each of the Department
for Work and Pensions, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office; and the Senior Civil
Service;
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(2)
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the SSRB should conduct a review of Members’ salaries in the first year of each new Parliament unless such a review has taken
place within the preceding two years;
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(3)
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at such a review the SSRB should consider either or both of:
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(a)
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an adjustment to the salary, consistent with public sector pay policy, to reflect an assessment of the appropriate salary
at that time relative to jobs of similar weight elsewhere in the public sector;
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(b)
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as regards the public sector groups listed above, such amendments to the list as appear to it to be necessary to reflect changes
in the pay setting arrangements for those groups;
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to take effect from the first 1st April following the first meeting of the new Parliament;
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(4)
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each year the SSRB chair should notify the Speaker of the change in salary (expressed as a percentage) and, on such notification
to the Speaker, that change shall have effect, subject to any further notification given following a review under paragraph
(2);
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(5)
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the Speaker should lay before the House:
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(a)
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any notification received from the SSRB chair under paragraph (4); and
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(b)
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any report from the SSRB following a review under paragraph (2) above;
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(6)
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an additional salary payable to a Member under Resolutions of this House in respect of service as a chairman of select or
general committees shall be changed by the same percentage and from the same time as the salary of a Member.
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As Amendments to Ms Harriet Harman’s proposed Motion (Members’ salaries expression of opinion) (No. 2)):
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(b)
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Line 37, at end add ‘and that this House is of the opinion that tax legislation should be amended so as to treat the office of a
Member of Parliament as taxable under Schedule D rather than Schedule E.’.
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(a)
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‘(7) to set the amount hon. Members are paid, the SSRB should conduct a two year public consultation to establish, by job
comparator the level of salary to come into force on 1st April 2010.’.
An explanatory memorandum is available in the Vote Office.
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†
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5
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MEMBERS’ SALARIES (EXPRESSION OF OPINION) (No. 3)
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That this House notes Sir John Baker’s Review of Parliamentary Pay and Allowances (Cm 7416), and is of the opinion that the
recommendation in paragraph 51 of the Review for increases over three years additional to those resulting from other uprating
provisions should be implemented, such that the annual salary of a Member of this House should be increased on each of 1st
April 2008, 1st April 2009 and 1st April 2010 by a sum of £650 in addition to (and after) any other change taking effect from
that date by virtue of any other resolution of this House.
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As Amendments to Ms Harriet Harman’s proposed Motion (Members’ salaries (expression of opinion) (No. 3)):
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(b)
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Line 2, leave out from ‘that’ to end and add ‘a Member’s salary should be increased on 1st October 2010 by £1,950 in addition
to the effects of any other uprating provisions.’.
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(a)
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Line 5, leave out ‘1st April 2008, 1st April 2009 and 1st April 2010’ and insert ‘1st April 2009, 1st April 2010 and 1st April 2011’.
An explanatory memorandum is available in the Vote Office.
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†
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6
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MEMBERS’ SALARIES (No. 1) (MONEY): (Queen’s Recommendation signified.)
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That the following provision be made in relation to the salaries of Members of this House—
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(1)
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from 1st April 2008 and from 1st April of each subsequent year a Member’s salary shall be increased by the percentage increase
in the 3 month average Public Sector Average Earnings Index published for January of that year relative to the figure published
for January of the previous year;
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(2)
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the SSRB shall conduct a review of Members’ salaries in the first year of each new Parliament unless such a review has taken
place within the preceding two years;
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(3)
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at such a review the SSRB should consider either or both of:
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(a)
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an adjustment to the salary
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(b)
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a different formula from that specified in paragraph (1) above
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to ensure that the level of salary remains adequate for recruitment and retention, appropriate for the responsibilities and
reasonable in relation to total reward for jobs of similar weight in the public sector, to take effect from the first 1st
April following the first meeting of the new Parliament;
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(4)
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each year the SSRB chair shall notify the Speaker of the change in salary (expressed as a percentage) and, on such notification
to the Speaker, that change shall have effect, subject to any further notification given following a review under paragraph
(2);
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(5)
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the Speaker shall lay before the House:
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(a)
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any notification received from the SSRB chair under paragraph (4) above; and
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(b)
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any report from the SSRB following a review under paragraph (2) above;
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(6)
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an additional salary payable to a Member under Resolutions of this House in respect of service as a chairman of select or
general committees shall be changed by the same percentage and from the same time as the salary of a Member.
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An explanatory memorandum is available in the Vote Office.
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†
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7
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MEMBERS’ SALARIES (No. 2) (MONEY): (Queen’s Recommendation signified.)
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That the following provision be made in relation to the salaries of Members of this House—
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(1)
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from 1st April 2008 and from 1st April of each subsequent year a Member’s salary shall be increased by a percentage equal
to the median of the relevant increases for the public sector groups listed in paragraph (2);
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(2)
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the public sector groups are:
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(a)
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senior military, holders of judicial office, very senior NHS managers, doctors and dentists, the Prison Service, NHS staff,
school teachers, the Armed Forces, police officers and Local Government (“List A”);
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(b)
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non-Senior Civil Service staff in each of the Department for Work and Pensions, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Ministry
of Defence and the Home Office (“List B”);
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(c)
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Senior Civil Service (“List C”);
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(3)
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the posts covered by a group in List A (except police officers and Local Government) and the Senior Civil Service are those
posts within the group which are covered (from time to time) by a pay review body supported by the Office of Manpower Economics;
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(4)
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the reference to police officers is to those officers covered (from time to time) by the Police Negotiating Board and the
reference to Local Government is to those posts covered (from time to time) by the National Joint Council for Local Government
Services;
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(5)
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in the case of List A, the relevant increase for a group is determined as follows:
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(a)
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determine the last set of annual percentage pay scale increases finalised and given effect to prior to 31st December of the
preceding year in relation to individuals within the group;
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(b)
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of the increases determined under paragraph (a), determine the increase that was applicable to the largest number of individuals
(for this purpose, taking increases of the same percentage together as if they were one increase);
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and the increase determined under paragraph (b) is the relevant increase;
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(6)
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in the case of List B, the relevant increase for a group is determined as follows:
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(a)
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determine the last set of annual percentage pay scale increases finalised and given effect to prior to 31st December of the
preceding year in relation to staff within the group;
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(b)
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determine the average of the increases determined under paragraph (a);
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and the average determined under paragraph (b) is the relevant increase;
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(7)
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in the case of List C, the relevant increase is the last annual percentage increase in the basic settlement (excluding recyclables)
finalised and given effect to prior to 31st December of the preceding year;
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(8)
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the SSRB shall determine each relevant increase for the purposes of paragraph (1) except where the SSRB decides, in relation
to a particular group, that it is not possible for it to make such a determination because of changes in pay setting arrangements
for that group or other exceptional circumstances, in which case that group shall be ignored for the purposes of paragraph
(1);
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(9)
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the SSRB shall conduct a review of Members’ salaries in the first year of each new Parliament unless such a review has taken
place within the preceding two years;
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(10)
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at such a review the SSRB should consider either or both of:
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(a)
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an adjustment to the salary, consistent with public sector pay policy, to reflect an assessment of the appropriate salary
at that time relative to jobs of similar weight elsewhere in the public sector;
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(b)
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as regards the public sector groups listed in paragraph (2) above, such amendments to the list (including adding new groups
or moving particular groups between Lists A, B and C) as appear to it to be necessary to reflect changes in the pay setting
arrangements for those groups;
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to take effect from the first 1st April following the first meeting of the new Parliament;
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(11)
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each year the SSRB chair shall notify the Speaker of the change in salary (expressed as a percentage) and, on such notification
to the Speaker, that change shall have effect, subject to any further notification given following a review under paragraph
(9);
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(12)
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the Speaker shall lay before the House:
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(a)
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any notification received from the SSRB chair under paragraph (11); and
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(b)
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any report from the SSRB following a review under paragraph (9) above;
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(13)
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an additional salary payable to a Member under Resolutions of this House in respect of service as a chairman of select or
general committees shall be changed by the same percentage and from the same time as the salary of a Member.
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An explanatory memorandum is available in the Vote Office.
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†
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8
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MEMBERS’ SALARIES (No. 3) (MONEY): (Queen’s Recommendation signified.)
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That the annual salary of a Member of this House shall be increased on each of 1st April 2008, 1st April 2009 and 1st April
2010 by a sum of £650 in addition to (and after) any other change taking effect from that date by virtue of any other resolution
of this House.
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An explanatory memorandum is available in the Vote Office.
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The Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motions in the name of Ms Harriet Harman relating
to Members’ Salaries one and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the first such Motion; such Questions shall
include the Questions on any Amendments selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; proceedings may continue, though
opposed, after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.
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That this House welcomes the Third Report from the Members Estimate Committee: Review of Members Allowances (House of Commons
Paper 578); endorses in particular the recognition of the need for a robust system of scrutiny for parliamentary allowances
and the accompanying emphasis in the Report on improved audit; and is of the opinion that—
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(1) |
Recommendations 1-5 (audit and assurance), Recommendations 6 and 7 (scope of overnight expenses), Recommendations 9 and 10
(Communications Allowance), Recommendations 11 and 12 (travel), Recommendations 13 and 14 (overnight expenses), Recommendation
15 (resettlement), and Recommendations 16-18 (other SSRB recommendations) should be implemented, subject to decisions of the
Members Estimate Committee with respect to their introduction and application;
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(2) |
the principle of central funding of constituency office costs, as set out in Recommendation 8, should be approved and asks
the Members Estimate Committee to prepare a detailed proposal accordingly;
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(3) |
the timetable for implementation of the Recommendations set out in paragraph 257 of the Report be endorsed; and instructs
the Members Estimate Committee to report from time to time on the implementation of this Resolution.
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As Amendments to Nick Harvey’s proposed Motion (Members’ expenses):
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(d)
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Line 2, leave out from ‘578)’ to end and add ‘recognises the need to strengthen the system of scrutiny and is of the opinion that
a rigorous internal system of audit of the Additional Costs Allowance be introduced covering 25 per cent. of hon. Members
each year, and every hon. Member each Parliament; and is of the opinion that—
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(1) Recommendations 5 (staff contracts), 8 (constituency offices), 9 and 10 (communications allowance), 11 and 12 (travel), 14
(overnight expenses), 15 (resettlement), and 16, 17 and 18 (other SSRB recommendations) be approved; and
(2) that Recommendation 5 be implemented from 1st October 2008, that Recommendation 8 be implemented from 1st April 2010, that
Recommendations 9 and 10 be implemented from 1st April 2009, that Recommendations 11 and 12 be implemented from 1st April
2009, that Recommendation 14 be implemented from 1st April 2009 and that Recommendation 15 be implemented at the end of the
next Parliament.’.
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(b)
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Line 15, after ‘accordingly’, insert ‘for decision by the House on or before 22nd July 2008.’.
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(c)
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Line 17, after ‘endorsed’, insert ‘except that the proposal for central funding for constituency offices should be brought before
this House on or before 22nd July 2008.’.
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(e)
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‘(4) the principle of centrally-provided accommodation should be established and asks the Members’ Estimate Committee to prepare
a detailed proposal accordingly.’.
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(f)
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‘(4) any allowance for overnight costs arising from Parliamentary duties in London may not be used for accommodation expenses
in respect of a residence designated by an hon. Member as his main residence for tax purposes.’.
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(g)
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‘(4) each allowance against which Members may reclaim expenses incurred should be entitled a budget.’.
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†
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10
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MEMBERS’ HOME ADDRESSES
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That this House asserts that the freedom of Members to speak on any matter without the fear or threat of interference or molestation
is essential to the effective conduct of parliamentary proceedings; notes that this freedom has long been recognised to be
an integral element of the protection afforded to Members enabling them to participate effectively in parliamentary business,
and thus that Members must be able to speak on any matter in parliamentary proceedings without threat of interference or molestation;
considers that this would be threatened by publication of Members’ home addresses, patterns of travel or other information
linked to addresses held by the House authorities revealing details that could threaten their security, and so would prejudice
the effective conduct of public affairs; and urges Mr Speaker to take account of these considerations in the discharge of
his responsibilities.
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As an Amendment to Ms Harriet Harman’s proposed Motion (Members’ home addresses):
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(a)
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Line 7, leave out ‘home addresses’ and insert ‘second home addresses in London’.
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The Speaker shall put the Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the Motion in the name of Nick Harvey relating
to Members’ Expenses and the Motion in the name of Ms Harriet Harman relating to Members’ Home Addresses one and a half hours
after the commencement of proceedings on the first such Motion; such Questions shall include the Questions on any Amendment
selected by the Speaker which may then be moved; proceedings may continue, though opposed, after the moment of interruption;
and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.
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†
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11
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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
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[No debate after 6.00 p.m.]
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That, in respect of the Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Bill, notices of Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to
be moved in Committee may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before the Bill has been read a second time.
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If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 6.00 p.m.
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