The Minister did not go into too much detail about payments. Members who give up their seats by June should receive a decent amount. The scheme in 1999 paid local authority members on the basis of the length of service, up to a maximum of 20 years, with a highest payment of £20,000. It was a good scheme, particularly for retiring members, because those who availed of it and who want to stand in future local elections have to pay back the money received. It is interesting that this is not a retirement payment because recipients will be able to stand again for local elections in future without having to pay back the money.