I have a short statement to make. It has come to my notice that our present rules regarding the date from which Members may draw their salaries on election are uneven in their operation. This was demonstrated in the case of the hon. Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mr. Hilton), who, although elected to Parliament on Thursday, 26th March, could not, under our present rules, draw salary until Tuesday, 31st March, because of the effect of the intervening Easter public holidays.

I have consulted the Chancellor of the Exchequer and, with his concurrence, I now rule that salaries shall start from the day following that on which the poll is held. This rule will apply to both General Elections and by-elections, and will be effective from the by-election in Norfolk, South-West, which polled on Wednesday, 25th March, 1959.

On behalf of the whole House, I should like to express our gratitude to you, Mr. Speaker, for this helpful statement. May I also express our thanks to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whose concurrence in your decision we all welcome? Thank you very much.

May I associate myself with what the Leader of the House said? We greatly appreciate the steps you have taken to get rid of an anomaly.

I am obliged for what has been said.