A five percent pay cut agreed by parliamentarians a year ago to appease angry unions has been ditched by the One Bermuda Alliance.Premier Craig Cannonier insisted last night Government was “prohibited from opting to keep the reduced salaries” in place when it came into power — but he did not explain why he didn't simply table the pay cut in Parliament again.Mr Cannonier has cut ministerial salaries by ten percent but, come April 1, many MPs and senators will enjoy a bigger pay packet than a year ago.The five percent reduction tabled in the House of Assembly by former Premier Paula Cox, after pressure from union chiefs and the public, saw parliamentary pay for MPs and senators drop to $53,222 and $28,848, respectively, last April.The resolution which brought the pay cut into effect was valid until either a general election or March 31, 2013, so ceased to be in effect on December 17.Annual pay for MPs then reverted to $56,023 and pay for senators to $30,367.Although Mr Cannonier has since tabled a new resolution on salaries, which was approved in the House last week, he opted to leave parliamentary pay as $56,023 or $30,367 — giving MPs and senators back the five percent cut they had accepted.Asked why by The Royal Gazette, the Premier said in an e-mailed answer from his spokeswoman: “The Government was prohibited from opting to keep the reduced salaries because the March 2012 resolution which had been passed by the Legislature made provision for the salaries to revert to the former level, prior to the five percent reduction, in April 2013 or at the time of a general election, whichever was sooner.“The salaries therefore reverted automatically at the time of the election.“However, the new Government introduced a new resolution at the earliest opportunity and went further and ensured that the new resolution made provision for a ten percent reduction in salaries for the Premier and his Ministers.”The salaries of Cabinet Ministers are comprised of two elements: ministerial pay and parliamentary pay.Mr Cannonier and his 12-strong team will take a ten percent cut in their ministerial pay from April 1, but their parliamentary pay will remain at the higher level of either $56,023 or $30,367, depending on if they sit in the Lower or Upper Chamber.So the Premier, for example, will actually take a 7.5 percent pay cut, earning $207,285 a year, instead of $224,092.On average, the new resolution means a 6.3 percent pay cut for Cabinet Ministers.Most backbench MPs and senators without any other responsibilities, whose salaries are comprised purely of parliamentary pay, will continue to pick up $56,023 or $30,367 from April 1 — five percent more than their April 1, 2012 salaries.Mr Cannonier told the House last week that the ministerial pay cut was “more symbolic than substantive”.But last night, he told this newspaper: “In this economy, a pay cut of any percentage can be seen as meaningful. Therefore, a pay cut of ten percent is 'substantive'.”The OBA leader added: “The Government … wanted to demonstrate that they are serious about social and economic equity for everyone, aptly demonstrating our commitment to managing the government purse and that we as a government are willing to sacrifice.“I am absolutely satisfied that the taxpayers are getting value for money for the Cabinet and parliamentary salaries. In fact, Bermuda is getting more than its money's worth for the amount of work that is being conducted.“There is no real 'time-off' for the Ministers, as their lives are committed to the public day in, day out.”Mr Cannonier did not respond when asked why he didn't include the five percent pay cut for parliamentarians in his resolution. His spokeswoman said he'd be willing to answer further questions today.Meanwhile, the Premier revealed in written parliamentary answers to the House yesterday that five Ministers in his new Cabinet are part-time.They are Health and Seniors Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Economic Development Minister Grant Gibbons, Environment Minister Sylvan Richards, Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy and Leah Scott, Minister without Portfolio.Each will earn half a full-time ministerial salary, along with their parliamentary pay of either $56,023 (for the four MPs) or $30,367 (for Senator Fahy).Mr Cannonier claimed having five part-time Ministers would save taxpayers $280,000 a year.His spokeswoman later explained that the figure was based on each of them earning half the former ministerial salary of $112,046 i.e. five x $56,023.In fact, they will earn $50,421 a year in ministerial pay, after the ten percent pay cut comes into effect on April 1.The information on part-time Ministers was given in response to questions by Opposition leader Marc Bean.He said last night: “The answers to the questions tabled today by the Premier only raise more questions.“On January 4, the Premier sent out a statement saying the move would save $228,000 per year, while today the Premier has now increased that figure to $280,000.“Further, these 'savings' are mainly derived from the fact that very important ministries will only receive part-time attention in the new Cabinet.“During these times of challenge, we do not believe that the Ministries of Economic Development, Health and Seniors, Home Affairs, and Environment and Planning deserve part-time attention.”A year ago, Premier Paula Cox's Cabinet was all full-time. One Minister — Patrice Minors — was previously part-time, keeping her job as assistant vice-president at Butterfield Bank.But the decision sparked criticism from the Bermuda Democratic Alliance, which was then in Opposition.MP Trevor Moniz, who is now full-time Public Works Minister, questioned whether Ms Minors could properly carry out her duties as Business Development and Tourism Minister on a part-time basis.It is understand Ms Minors left the bank at the request of Ms Cox, who required all her Ministers to be full-time.Mr Cannonier said last night: “It's about their level of commitment. While they may be part-time Ministers, the quantity and the quality of work they provide for the country has not been compromised.”