HC Deb 18 March 1974 vol 870 cc649-50
12. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the proposed amount and method of remuneration of the elected representatives for the new local authorities.

Mr. Rowlands

Taxation and social security aspects of the new system of attendance allowance will be reviewed during the next financial year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. and learned Friend have at present no plans to review the maximum amount of this allowance.

Mr. Hughes

Will my hon. Friend take into account the fact that those elected representatives who, under their employment, are in contributory pension schemes are not being credited with a contribution when they spend time on local government work? As the number in this category is now growing, will my hon. Friend take urgent steps to try to remedy the situation and safeguard these people's rights, especially since the amounts received are now taxable, whereas previously they were not?

Mr. Rowlands

This is one of the aspects of the matter which will be under review during the coming year, and I assure my hon. Friend that it will be brought to the attention of the local authority associations which we are consulting.

Mr. Kinnock

Is my hon. Friend aware also that among the people who take public representative posts of this kind there are several who are retired and in receipt of pensions, and they are put in a most unfortunate tax position by the new allowances? Can some exception to the rules be made for these people?

Mr. Rowlands

I appreciate that point, and I hope that it will come in as part of the review which we are to undertake.