asked the Minister for Education if she has any authority in regard to the payment of expenses to members of vocational education committees; or if the making of such payments is entirely a matter for the committees themselves.
Written Answers. - Vocational Education Committee Members.
272.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 272 together.
A vocational education committee may defray the travelling expenses actually incurred by its members in respect of meetings held at a place not less than five miles from their ordinary places of residence. Alternatively, a VEC may by resolution decide that, in lieu of defraying the travelling expenses actually incurred, a fixed sum for every mile travelled may be paid. The current rate which requires and has the sanction of the Minister for Education is 53p per mile. In addition, in the case of members of VECs who attend meetings at a place not less than one mile from their ordinary places of residence and are obliged, by reason of their attendance to remain away from home for a continuous period of not less than three hours, subsistence allowances are also payable. The level of allowance payable is subject to the sanction of the Minister for Education. The current rates are £10.45 for absences from home of three hours but less than seven hours and £14.45 for absences of seven hours or more.
Where members of VECs attend meetings at a place not less than five miles from home and are obliged to remain away from home for a continuous period of not less than three hours, an inclusive travelling and subsistence allowance may be paid. The present allowance is £15.40. The level of allowance is subject to the sanction of the Minister for Education.
No specific attendance allowance is payable in respect of attendance at meetings of VECs.
The levels of the allowances payable are based on those prevailing for members of Local Rating Authorities and are increased periodically in accordance with increases sanctioned by the Minister for the Environment.