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MPs' expenses inquiry considered MPs' expenses inquiry considered
(40 minutes later)
A wide-ranging inquiry into MPs' expenses is being considered by the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, the BBC has learned.A wide-ranging inquiry into MPs' expenses is being considered by the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, the BBC has learned.
It comes after employment minister Tony McNulty said he had not broken any rules by claiming an allowance for a home in London where his parents live.It comes after employment minister Tony McNulty said he had not broken any rules by claiming an allowance for a home in London where his parents live.
It is understood the inquiry into the whole system of expenses and allowances is likely to begin in the autumn.It is understood the inquiry into the whole system of expenses and allowances is likely to begin in the autumn.
The investigation could also consider MPs' pay and their office expenditure.The investigation could also consider MPs' pay and their office expenditure.
Parliamentary duties
Mr McNulty himself said the rules should be looked into after claiming a second-home allowance for the property in his Harrow East constituency, in north-west London.Mr McNulty himself said the rules should be looked into after claiming a second-home allowance for the property in his Harrow East constituency, in north-west London.
Parliamentary duties
His main home is eight miles away in Hammersmith in west London.His main home is eight miles away in Hammersmith in west London.
Mr McNulty received allowances worth thousands of pounds for the constituency home which he said he made "considerable" use of and that it allowed him to do his job more effectively.Mr McNulty received allowances worth thousands of pounds for the constituency home which he said he made "considerable" use of and that it allowed him to do his job more effectively.
He stopped claiming the allowance in January because interest rates had fallen so much that he could afford to pay the mortgage from his MP's salary.He stopped claiming the allowance in January because interest rates had fallen so much that he could afford to pay the mortgage from his MP's salary.
Under the current rules, the Additional Costs Allowance of up to £24,000 a year goes to MPs from outside inner London to cover the cost of staying away from their main home when carrying out parliamentary duties.Under the current rules, the Additional Costs Allowance of up to £24,000 a year goes to MPs from outside inner London to cover the cost of staying away from their main home when carrying out parliamentary duties.
Tighter rules Tony McNulty: "I think I've complied entirely"
Only last month the committee decided against an inquiry after a meeting with the leader of the House of Commons, Harriet Harman.Only last month the committee decided against an inquiry after a meeting with the leader of the House of Commons, Harriet Harman.
A new system of expenses with tighter rules is due to come into force on 1 April.A new system of expenses with tighter rules is due to come into force on 1 April.
Earlier this year Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had to defend her actions after it emerged she had claimed about £116,000 in expenses for her family home in the West Midlands after declaring her sister's property in London - where she stayed four days a week - as her main residence.Earlier this year Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had to defend her actions after it emerged she had claimed about £116,000 in expenses for her family home in the West Midlands after declaring her sister's property in London - where she stayed four days a week - as her main residence.
Ms Smith said the Commons' authorities had approved her conduct, while the parliamentary standards watchdog said there was no need for an investigation.Ms Smith said the Commons' authorities had approved her conduct, while the parliamentary standards watchdog said there was no need for an investigation.
MPs' allowances became the subject of controversy when it emerged last year that Conservative Derek Conway had paid his sons to act as researchers while both were students.MPs' allowances became the subject of controversy when it emerged last year that Conservative Derek Conway had paid his sons to act as researchers while both were students.
The Commons Standards and Privileges Committee found he had overpaid them and ordered him to repay some of the money.The Commons Standards and Privileges Committee found he had overpaid them and ordered him to repay some of the money.