§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to ensure the adoption by the nationalised boards and all Government Departments of a practice which would allow their employees off duty, with pay, when such persons are attending official lunches and dinners, such as that in the case submitted to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, concerning a British Road Services driver.
§ The Prime MinisterSo far as the nationalised boards are concerned arrangements of this kind would, as a matter of day to day administration, be for the boards themselves to determine. Government Departments are already able to grant special leave, often with pay, in a wide variety of circumstances including attendances at public functions associated with national or local civic duties.