§ 24. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to make it legal for representatives of urban district councils to be paid their expenses for attending meetings of industrial development boards in view of the importance of such meetings in the interests of local authorities.
§ Mr. WillinkThe payments to which my hon. Friend refers could not be made legal except by legislation and, as at present advised, I do not think there is a case for this.
§ Mr. LeslieDoes the Minister think it is fair, in view of the importance of these meetings, that local councillors should be asked to meet their own expenses, when any development that takes place may mean the local authority having to provide houses, roads, sewage, etc.? Why should they be placed in a worse position than the county councils who pay their representatives' expenses?
§ Mr. WillinkAs I have said, this matter would require legislation, of which there is no possibility at present. Normally, the position with regard to boards of this kind is that provision is made for the board to pay expenses, not the local authority.