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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Speaker speeds up expenses review | Speaker speeds up expenses review |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A review of MPs' expenses led by Commons Speaker Michael Martin is to be completed by July - several months earlier than previously planned. | A review of MPs' expenses led by Commons Speaker Michael Martin is to be completed by July - several months earlier than previously planned. |
| The Commons Members Estimate Committee said it would publish its findings before Parliament rises for the summer. | The Commons Members Estimate Committee said it would publish its findings before Parliament rises for the summer. |
| This comes a day after the review was accused of doing "damage" to the House of Commons' image by taking too long. | This comes a day after the review was accused of doing "damage" to the House of Commons' image by taking too long. |
| The committee also said the £250 limit for MPs submitting expenses claims without a receipt would be cut. | The committee also said the £250 limit for MPs submitting expenses claims without a receipt would be cut. |
| This will happen from the start of the next financial year in April, with the new maximum expected to be about £50. | This will happen from the start of the next financial year in April, with the new maximum expected to be about £50. |
| The expenses inquiry's publication will now coincide with another on MPs' pay. | The expenses inquiry's publication will now coincide with another on MPs' pay. |
| 'Radical options' | 'Radical options' |
| Mr Martin set up the estimate committee's review following revelations that Tory MP Derek Conway had made payments worth £40,000 to his son for work as a parliamentary researcher while he was a student. | Mr Martin set up the estimate committee's review following revelations that Tory MP Derek Conway had made payments worth £40,000 to his son for work as a parliamentary researcher while he was a student. |
| In its interim report, the committee said it would look at "radical options" for creating "a robust and transparent process for claiming allowances and auditing them". | In its interim report, the committee said it would look at "radical options" for creating "a robust and transparent process for claiming allowances and auditing them". |
| SPEAKER'S DUTIES Keep order during debatesEnsure House rules obeyedAct impartiallyRepresents CommonsChooses MPs to speakCan suspend sittingsProtects interests of minorities Guide: MPs' pay and expenses | SPEAKER'S DUTIES Keep order during debatesEnsure House rules obeyedAct impartiallyRepresents CommonsChooses MPs to speakCan suspend sittingsProtects interests of minorities Guide: MPs' pay and expenses |
| It added: "These will help identify a new system which is workable, in line with practice elsewhere and able to command public respect." | It added: "These will help identify a new system which is workable, in line with practice elsewhere and able to command public respect." |
| The report also said: "We will complete a report in time for debate in the House in July. All decisions will be made by the House itself." | The report also said: "We will complete a report in time for debate in the House in July. All decisions will be made by the House itself." |
| It added: "We are conscious of the need to establish a structure which will endure and will rebuild confidence." | It added: "We are conscious of the need to establish a structure which will endure and will rebuild confidence." |
| In the Commons on Monday, David Winnick, Labour MP for Walsall North, asked the Speaker: "Would it be possible for the review to have greater urgency and not wait until the autumn [for the findings]?" | In the Commons on Monday, David Winnick, Labour MP for Walsall North, asked the Speaker: "Would it be possible for the review to have greater urgency and not wait until the autumn [for the findings]?" |
| He added that recent expenses stories such as those involving Mr Conway had done "damage to the reputation of the House". | He added that recent expenses stories such as those involving Mr Conway had done "damage to the reputation of the House". |
| Mr Martin replied that he would remain in charge of a review of MPs' allowances "until this House decides otherwise". | Mr Martin replied that he would remain in charge of a review of MPs' allowances "until this House decides otherwise". |
| He insisted: "And that is a good thing for the reputation of this House." | He insisted: "And that is a good thing for the reputation of this House." |
| Mr Winnick welcomed the change of schedule but said he "wished it was before what is now even being proposed". | |
| Air miles | Air miles |
| In the past two weeks Mr Martin, MP for Glasgow North East, has faced scrutiny over his own use of expenses and allowances. | In the past two weeks Mr Martin, MP for Glasgow North East, has faced scrutiny over his own use of expenses and allowances. |
| These include flying members of his family using air miles gained from official trips. | These include flying members of his family using air miles gained from official trips. |
| My blog post provoked 52 MPs to sign an Early Day Motion BBC political editor Nick Robinson class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2008/02/ivecausedastir.html">Read Nick's thoughts in full The Sunday Times also reported that he had claimed £17,000 a year for his home in Scotland and £7,500 in costs for using that home as an office. These figures had been publicly declared already and there is no suggestion Mr Martin used his allowance incorrectly. | |
| Mr Martin's spokesman, Mike Granatt, resigned last week after he wrongly rebutted some parts of a story that the Speaker's wife had claimed more than £4,000 in taxi expenses since May 2004. | Mr Martin's spokesman, Mike Granatt, resigned last week after he wrongly rebutted some parts of a story that the Speaker's wife had claimed more than £4,000 in taxi expenses since May 2004. |
| Mr Granatt said Mr Martin had not been at fault over the misinformation, and instead blamed officials for not telling him the entire truth. | Mr Granatt said Mr Martin had not been at fault over the misinformation, and instead blamed officials for not telling him the entire truth. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mr Martin had been a "very, very good" Speaker. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mr Martin had been a "very, very good" Speaker. |
| Conservative leader David Cameron said "speculation" over his future was not helpful, adding that Parliament had to show more "transparency". | Conservative leader David Cameron said "speculation" over his future was not helpful, adding that Parliament had to show more "transparency". |
| Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Mr Martin was "fully committed" to reforming expenses and allowances. | Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Mr Martin was "fully committed" to reforming expenses and allowances. |