As someone claimed that we hadn’t addressed the issue of expenses in the Lords I thought I should put the record straight. If you type in the search box ‘expenses’ you will find quite a few entries from me and others. Recently we introduced a new system which will take effect from October. It is IMV a…
I agree with Lord Norton that the composition of the House is not relevant to the question of expenses. The following BBC link is useful to see what some other countries do. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7961849.stm I tend to favour something along the lines of the German system but if we can extend the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authoriyt…
Just as we politicians thought it was safe to go back in the water another swimmer falls to the Telegraph shark! I think David Laws MP is in an impossible situation as the rules do not allow him to keep personal relationships confidential when he stays in a second home subsidised by the taxpayer. I think…
I spoke yesterday on the report of the House Committee about the definition of a primary home for members of the House of Lords. I really do not like the principle underlying the question of expenses for second homes. I would have preferred if there was a simple allowance set at a higher rate for…
I agree with the broad thrust of Lord Norton’s comments below but I will not feel comfortable until our allowances and expenses are set by an independent body. That is what is now happening in the House of Commons with the creation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority ( http://www.parliamentarystandards.org.uk/ ). Parliamentary sovereignty means that ultimately all recommendations of such…
