HC Deb 23 April 1975 vol 890 cc1465-6
9. Mr. Adam Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had to date regarding the need to increase the attendance allowance payment to members of the new local authorities; and if he will consider introducing a loss-of-work supplement where this is required.

Mr. Millan

I have received representations from the local authority associations. The level of the allowance is currently under review. I have no plans, meanwhile, to introduce a loss of work supplement.

Mr. Hunter

Is my hon. Friend aware that a lot of nonsense is talked about the probable abuse of the attendance allowance payment to members of new councils? Many councillors are prepared to suffer financial sacrifice to carry on their work. Is my hon. Friend also aware that if only £10 per day is paid where loss of work is involved, it will mean a reduction in the weekly income on which income tax is paid and that that will be a great hardship to many councillors? Is it not possible to give some kind of grant to persons who incur loss of earnings? Would it not have been better, as we suggested two years ago, for a salary scheme to have been adopted?

Mr. Millan

My hon. Friend is raising rather wider questions. The allowances paid now are in substitution for the old financial loss allowance. They are taxable, so the net amount payable is £6.70 per day, which I should not consider excessive. In fact, the rates are under review by a working party covering England and Wales as well as Scotland. I agree that a great many rather wild charges are made against local councillors. The fact is that many local councillors carry out their public duties in a very public-spirited way and at considerable personal expense. I think that we ought to ameliorate that situation as much as we can.

Sir John Gilmour

As certain local councillors have claimed that they will be drawing the attendance allowance every day, would it not be better to give a supplement to their employers for the lack of work which will occur?

Mr. Millan

The question how often the allowance may be drawn is a matter for local authority arrangement, in terms of the number of meetings which are arranged. Certainly we do not want meetings unnecessarily arranged. There are a number of restrictions in the regulations.

Mr. Welsh

In considering the new authorities, will the Minister take account of the problems facing community councils? Is he happy that community councils have no statutory duties? Is he also happy that community councils may find that their funds are liable to taxation? Moreover, in considering the problem of funding local community councils, is he happy that they may have to spend their energies on raising funds through coffee mornings, and so on, instead of looking after the problems of individuals and overseeing district councils? Lastly—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member has asked four questions already.

Mr. Millan

I shall answer those various questions when we reach Question No. 22; if we are not prevented from reaching it by unnecessary questions at this stage.