Pay for Chairmen of Select Committees

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:09 pm on 30 October 2003.

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Photo of Phil Woolas Phil Woolas Parliamentary Secretary 4:09, 30 October 2003

I confirm that that is absolutely the case. The Government certainly believe that, as the hon. Gentleman said earlier, financial incentives are not the reason why hon. Members put themselves forward for the chairmanships of Committees, but there is a paradox in the hon. Gentleman's argument. It is contradictory to say that financial incentive is not the motive while referring to the role of the usual channels, the coercion that he implies and the patronage that has been mentioned. I suggest that he cannot have it both ways.