Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 20 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 April 2004. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 April 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the terms are of the offer made by the Department of the Environment in relation to allowances which are to be payable to councillors in Northern Ireland for carrying out their duties. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the terms are of the offer made by the Department of the Environment in relation to allowances which are to be payable to councillors in Northern Ireland for carrying out their duties. [168298] Angela Smith: The terms offered to representatives of the National Association of Councillors, to modernise the system for the remuneration of councillors, involves two-stages. Stage 1 is a package, which would include the abolition of attendance allowance; a basic allowance of £7,500, to reflect the loss in income from attendance allowance; and a substantial increase in the level of special responsibility allowance to between £15,000 and £70,000, available to councils to distribute. Stage 2 would introduce primary legislation to enable regulations to be made. These regulations could be introduced depending on the outcome of the Review of Public Administration.

Secondary information