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House of Lords: Financial Support for Members

My Lords, I have no doubt that the noble Lord, Lord Brabazon, will take back very strong messages, as indeed I shall, but I should stress that at the end of the debate I will be replying as Leader of the House. It is incumbent upon me to do so. To begin with, however, I want to set out the Government’s position on the SSRB’s report. The Government’s role in relation to the system of allowances in your Lordships’ House is clear. First, the Government meet the cost of your Lordships’ House, which is a highly cost-effective House. The SSRB’s report points out, for example, that the total cost of financial support for Members of your Lordships’ House in 2007-08 was £18.4 million, compared to a total cost of MPs’ salaries and allowances of £159.5 million, so that the direct cost of Members of this House is just 11.5 per cent of the cost of Members of another place. Members’ expenses also comprise a relatively small proportion of the costs of this House. At 15 per cent of the total annual running costs, Members’ expenses are considerably less than items such as buildings depreciation and capital charges, which together comprise 43 per cent of the total costs. Some might regard this House as already legislating at a very low price; it certainly is a bargain. Secondly, in connection with the Government’s role in relation to the system of allowances in this House, the Government have a responsibility to seek improvements to the system and to help resolve any difficulties, just as they did on MPs’ expenses. Thirdly, and as a result of that role, it was the Government in the shape of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister who—at the request of the House Committee of your Lordships’ House—formally referred the issue of financial support to the SSRB and who, with the Lord Speaker, received the SSRB’s report last month. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister made clear the Government’s position on the day of publication of the report, when he made two particular points. First, he stated clearly that the Government accepted the SSRB’s report. Secondly, he stated that the Government—in precise terms, that I, as Leader of the House—would work with other Members of your Lordships’ House, ""to take forward its implementation"."