HC Deb 03 March 1964 vol 690 cc1107-9
14. Mr. Buck

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will seek powers to give additional assistance by way of extended loss of earnings allowance, or otherwise, to mayors and chairmen of local authorities to assist them during their period of office; and if he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph

County councils, and county borough and borough councils, already have power to pay their chairman and mayor respectively such remuneration as they think reasonable, and district councils have power to pay to their chairman such allowance as they think reasonable for enabling him to meet the expenses of his office. I have no doubt that these arrangements will be considered by the committee under the chairmanship of Sir John Maud whose appointment I announced earlier this afternoon in reply to the hon. Member for Fulham (Mr. M. Stewart).

Mr. Buck

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the appointment of the Committees to which he referred earlier will cause satisfaction to those concerned with these problems on a long-term basis? But is he aware that there is a short-term problem? Can he confirm that it is Government policy to encourage employers to do all they can to assist those who serve as mayors or chairmen? If it is Government policy to do so, will he prevail on the Minister of Health to see that assistance is given to the Mayor-elect of Colchester, who is not being given any assistance despite the fact that he has taken on such arduous and worth-while duties?

Sir K. Joseph

I think that my hon. Friend's supplementary question may have helpful effects. I should be unwilling to undertake to get in touch with individual employers.

Mr. K. Robinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that he has correctly divided the responsibilities of these two Committees? Would it not be better for one to deal with elected representatives and for the other to deal with staff, including chief officers?

Sir K. Joseph

These Committees are being set up on the initiative of the local authority associations, whose decisions I am acting upon.