§ 24. Mr. Norman HoggTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made in determining a new scheme for local authority councillors' allowances; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIn a paper issued on 19 December 1989, the Government put proposals for a revised scheme of councillors' allowances to the local authority associations for comment. My right hon. and learned Friend subsequently met COSLA on 9 February when he stressed his willingness to be flexible on the distribution of the Scottish quantum and to consider alternatives for the definition of approved duties. Comments and views have been received from a number of interested parties. These are being carefully considered and my right hon. and learned Friend expects to announce his decisions shortly. The intention is that the revised scheme should operate from 1 July 1990.