§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Essex County Council and other local authorities who are anxious that members of their staff shall not suffer severe financial loss during their service in His Majesty's Forces are faced with the probability of a serious increase in their rates if they adopt the practice of paying the balance between their service pay and their municipal wage or salary; whether he is aware that the class of militiamen will create further anomalies and difficulties in this respect; and whether he will offer some guidance to these local authorities and issue a circular with a view to encouraging just action and yet avoiding the imposition of further burdens on the ratepayers?
§ Mr. ElliotI have received no information from local authorities which would enable me to estimate the effect on their rates of any action they might take in this matter. I have, however, already issued a circular to them in connection with the contemplated legislation in regard to the pay and superannuation of their employés called up for national2522W service in the event of an emergency, and I understand that the matter is at present being considered by the associations of local authorities. The position of employés of local authorities who may be affected by the Military Training Bill and the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill is among the points which will be dealt with by the Orders in Council for which the Bills provide. I have it under consideration at the present time and I contemplate issuing a circular to local authorities as soon as the necessary decisions have been reached.