Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Rosser (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 20 March 2013.

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Armed Forces: Pay

Question

My Lords, the Government have made as nifty a U-turn as a London taxicab on implementing the X-factor supplement recommendation. Yet the contract for the chairman of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, Alasdair Smith, is not being renewed. He said that, because of the late decision and the time needed to make another appointment, his successor will miss the first half of the year’s programme of work, including all the visits to members of the Armed Forces that are a hugely important part of the role. That statement indicates that this was a sudden decision by the Government, made following receipt of the pay review body’s recommendations at the end of January, since just over two weeks later Alasdair Smith was told that he would be finishing at the end of this month. In view of their hasty U-turn, will the Government now offer Professor Smith a further term as chairman? After all, he will have the confidence of members of the Armed Forces since he upheld the independence of the pay review body—or is that the problem?

Answer

My Lords, there is no link between the Prime Minister’s decision not to reappoint Professor Smith and the increase to X-factor. The Prime Minister’s decision not to extend Professor Smith’s appointment represents broader government policy regarding no automatic right to reappointment to

non-departmental public bodies such as the pay review body. The decision is in line with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies. An interim chair, John Steele, has been drawn from the remaining members of the AFPRB until a formal replacement can be appointed.

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Secondary information

Type

Oral question

Reference

744 c590 

Session

2012-13

Oral question type

Supplementary

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords chamber

Subjects

Armed forces Pay

Link

View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk