§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that the present system of loss of earnings allowances to councillors discriminates against housewives whose time is considered to have no financial value; if he is satisfied with the operation of the Local Government Acts in this respect; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Graham PageA housewife who is a councillor can claim financial loss 35W allowance if she necessarily incurs additional expense in order to carry out a council duty. As announced in the recent White Paper on Local Government in England, however, the Government consider that the present system of allowances should be improved and they intend to consult further on this with the local authority associations.