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Oral Answers to Questions — Cabinet Ministers (Remuneration)

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 19 Mawrth 1964.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton 12:00, 19 Mawrth 1964

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that the minimum rate of remuneration for Cabinet Ministers shall be £5,000 per annum.

Photo of Mr Selwyn Lloyd Mr Selwyn Lloyd , Wirral

I have been asked to reply.

No, Sir, not in advance of the recommendations of the Committee now considering the remuneration of Ministers and Members of Parliment.

Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton

While one is undoubtedly pleased to see the Leader of the House deputising for the Prime Minister, may I ask if he is aware that the Minister of State for Education is one of the few members of the Government who is respected on both sides of the House? In those circumstances, is it not all the more deplorable, and indeed disgusting, that as a result of a squalid backstairs deal between the Prime Minister and the new Minister of Education a good man should be compelled to work in the Cabinet at cut-price rates?

Photo of Mr Selwyn Lloyd Mr Selwyn Lloyd , Wirral

I am sure my right hon. Friend, who wholeheartedly supported this reorganisation, will be gratified to know that the hon. Member thinks that the value of his services exceeds his financial remuneration.

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Easington

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the standard salary for a Cabinet Minister —£5,000 per annum—has been in operation for almost a century? Does he not think it time to prevent these black-legging tactics on the part of members of the Government?

Photo of Mr Selwyn Lloyd Mr Selwyn Lloyd , Wirral

I think it much better to do what I suggested, and await the report of the Committee which is now considering these matters.

Photo of Mr Jeremy Thorpe Mr Jeremy Thorpe , North Devon

Could the Leader of the House consider the possibility of increasing the salary of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster? Is he aware that the Chancellor at Exeter suggested that all dissatisfied voters should vote Labour? Would it not be possible for his salary to be met by the Conservative and Labour Parties in view of the valuable work he is doing for both organisations?

Photo of Mr Selwyn Lloyd Mr Selwyn Lloyd , Wirral

If the hon. Member has a serious suggestion to make on this matter, I can communicate with the Committee which is now sitting.

Cabinet

The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.

It is chaired by the prime minister.

The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.

Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.

However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.

War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.

From time to time the prime minister will reorganise the cabinet in order to bring in new members, or to move existing members around. This reorganisation is known as a cabinet re-shuffle.

The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.

Prime Minister

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom

Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.

Chancellor

The Chancellor - also known as "Chancellor of the Exchequer" is responsible as a Minister for the treasury, and for the country's economy. For Example, the Chancellor set taxes and tax rates. The Chancellor is the only MP allowed to drink Alcohol in the House of Commons; s/he is permitted an alcoholic drink while delivering the budget.