§ Lord Kilmanyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why paid local government officials in Scotland receive a more generous rate of travelling allowance than do the elected members of local councils when using their own cars for similar council business.
§ Lord LyellThe allowances for officials are negotiated nationally between local government staff and management sides and the rates agreed are a matter for the negotiating body and not the Government. I understand that the rates—which are appreciably higher than 1279WA elected member rates—are calculated to include a substantial contribution towards the standing costs of car ownership. By contrast the elected member rate is determined by the Secretary of State and is related primarily to the costs incurred by using the car on council business.