Mr. DUNCANasked the President of the Local Government Board what regulations govern the payment of expenses to members of boards of guardians when away on business of the board; whether he is aware that the auditor disallows any expenses incurred by members of the Merthyr Board of Guardians over and above third-class railway fares and 5s. per day; that this latter sum does not meet the actual out-of-pocket expenses of the labour representatives on the Board; and whether he can give instructions that in such cases, in addition to the subsistence allowance, there shall be allowed the actual wages lost?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHER:As regards the first part of the question there are no regulations on the subject. Where members of local authorities are required in performance of their official duties to travel outside their district, it has been customary to allow them travelling expenses, and if their business involves considerable absence from home a pay- 418W ment for subsistence, i.e., refreshments. I am aware that in a certain case the auditor disallowed the amount paid for subsistence allowance in excess of 5s. a day. In deciding the appeal my Department allowed a charge at the rate of 6s. 8d., and intimated to the guardians that this was the maximum subsistence allowance for an absence from home of ten hours by day. I have no power to issue instructions to the effect suggested in the last part of the question. Legislation would be necessary to enable payments to be made to members of local authorities to compensate them for wages lost.