Pay for standing committee chairmen in the House of Commons : report no. 60

The Review Body's report considers possible arrangements for giving additional payments to the chairmen of Parliamentary Standing Committees, should the House of Commons decide it is appropriate to establish such a system.

It examines the nature of duties and workload undertaken, the arguments for and against payment, and payment structure options.

The report finds that the best payment structure would be a two-tier panel with higher payments for members undertaking a minimum time commitment.

Whatever method is chosen, attention will need to be given to a number of management issues, including recruitment, probation, performance and standing down.

Recommendations include that the allowance structure should be set with reference to the uprated level for Select Committee chairmen, and thereafter uprated annually on the same basis as the pay of MPs and Ministers generally.

Attention should be given to any payments received by chairmen for activities outside the House, before the introduction of any system.