§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the custom for civil servants who have been elected to municipal authorities to be given the necessary leave of absence, with salary, to fulfil their public duties; and, if not, whether he will give immediate consideration to this question.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThe existing rule is that service on a local council should not interfere with a civil servant's perform-396W ance of his Civil Service duties. I do not feel able to give a fresh general instruction on the matter, since circumstances, and particularly the amount of absence involved, vary widely. But I am willing to consider on their merits, in consultation with the employing Departments concerned, any cases in which it is thought that time off is being unreasonably refused.