Colonel Sandeman Allenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that some county councils, acting in accordance with a recommendation issued by the County Councils' Association on 29th June, 1939, have decided not to make up the service pay and allowances to the civil pay in the case of employés called up for compulsory service in His Majesty's Forces and who did not volunteer for service prior to the outbreak of hostilities; and whether, in view of the inequality of treatment to local government servants arising there-from, he will endeavour to secure that such county councils shall use the powers granted to them under the provisions of the Local Government Staffs (War Service) Act?
§ Mr. ElliotI have been asked to reply. It is within the discretion of a council whether they exercise the powers conferred on them by Section 1 of the Local Government Staffs (War Service) Act, 1939, and I have no authority in the matter.