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Written Answers

Volume 614: debated on Wednesday 5 July 2000

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Written Answers

Wednesday, 5th July 2000.

Parliamentary Cost Comparisons

Viscount Tenby

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the annual cost of maintaining the European Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, including:

  • (a) salaries, pensions, travelling allowances, secretarial expenses and other expenses for Members;
  • (b) salaries, allowances and pensions and other costs of support staff;
  • (c) accommodation, including rent, operating costs and security; and
  • (d) all other administrative costs such as stationery, office equipment, publications, payments to parliamentary bodies and other relevant outgoings;

    • and whether they will indicate the per capita cost per Member as well as the average number of sitting days for each institution for 1999–2000 and the previous four years. [HL2995]

    Lord McIntosh of Haringey

    The information for the years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 was given in my Answer of 22 July 1999 (WA 129–130). The information for 1999–2000 is as follows:

    Total Costs 1999–2000£ million
    House of Lords45.3
    House of Commons5263.7
    European Parliament1610
    of which cost to UK is102.7
    Per capita cart per member 1999–2000£'000
    House of Lords237
    House of Commons6400
    European Parliament3974
    Number of sitting dais 1999–2000
    House of Lords158
    House of Commons157
    European Parliament460
    Notes:
    1 Based on the calendar year and average £/eu exchange rate. The cost to the UK is derived from the UK's financing share after abatement.
    2 Per capita costs based on number of Peers eligible to sit in the House of Lords at the beginning of the year.
    3 The number of European Parliament seats increased from 518 to 567 on June 1994 and has increased since to its present total of 626.
    4 It is not possible to give an exact figure for the number of European Parliament sittings. The European Parliament generally holds a five-day plenary session every month but there have been occasions when these plenary sessions have been over a longer period.
    5 Total cost of the House of Commons includes capital costs in respect of new Parliamentary buildings.
    6 Per capita costs based on 659 Members, increased from 652 at the 1997 General Election.