§ 28. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware 1711 that, due to the increased employers' contributions in respect of National Insurance, holiday credits, the effects of the selective employment tax and the high overheads coupled with the reduced hours of effective employment, employers in the building industry are becoming more reluctant to release or employ people who are members of local authorities; and what action he intends to take to prevent this limitation of opportunity of building workers from serving on local authorities and other public boards.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonMy right hon. Friend has no evidence to this effect.
§ Mr. HunterWould my hon. Friend agree that this is a real problem among certain workers in industry who are members of local authorities? Would not he agree that something should be done to encourage employers to let their employees away, because, if not, local authorities will find themselves without good and qualified local authority members?
Dr. MahonMy right hon. Friend quite accepts that expression of view. He expects building trade employers to act as reasonably in this matter as other employers. However, he has no evidence to the effect of my hon. Friend's Question.