MPs ‘considering publishing all expenses’
All MPs’ expenses could be published under new plans reportedly being considered by parliament officials.
The move, being considered by the members estimate committee, would see all claims dating back to 2004 made public.
MPs are currently drawing up a statement of principles on their expenses as a parliamentary review continues to evaluate existing practice.
Conservative MP Derek Conway lost his party’s whip and was suspended for ten days after it emerged he had overpaid one of his sons for researcher work.
That sparked a wave of media interest in expenses, leading to pressure on Commons speaker Michael Martin which only ended when MPs rallied round him.
Media interest in money claimed by MPs resulted in the maximum allowances for furnishings and fittings being released under freedom of information rules yesterday.
The so-called ‘John Lewis list’ reveals the maximum allowances not deemed “extravagant or luxurious” by parliament’s Green Book, a guide for MPs.
It states that MPs can spend £700 of taxpayers’ money on a wardrobe, £500 on a washer dryer and £600 on a dining table, based on prices in John Lewis.
Use of the chain has come under criticism from some quarters. Matthew Eliot of the Taxpayers’ Alliance said: “John Lewis is a fine store but it is hardly the cheapest place to purchase household goods.”
But the Green Book says the high street chain is being used as a February 2007 Which? survey deemed it the best retailer in terms of cost, customer service and the variety of goods available.
Ongoing attention on the issue has led some, like Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell, to raise concerns about the possible impact on MPs’ behaviour.
“MPs are not there to be penalised. They are there to represent their constituents and their country,” he told BBC2’s Newsnight programme yesterday.
“How we do that now, in the future, that gives confidence to the constituents, confidence to the public, that is the major aim that [the members estimate] committee is looking at.”
