This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7973438.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
MPs claims 'on sale for £300,000' MP claims 'on sale for £300,000'
(40 minutes later)
Details of MPs' expenses receipts are being offered for sale for up to £300,000, it has been claimed.Details of MPs' expenses receipts are being offered for sale for up to £300,000, it has been claimed.
Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell, who sits on the Speaker's Commons Estimates Committee, told the BBC the committee was investigating the reports.Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell, who sits on the Speaker's Commons Estimates Committee, told the BBC the committee was investigating the reports.
Sir Stuart said the claims of about 650 MPs are thought to have been for sale.Sir Stuart said the claims of about 650 MPs are thought to have been for sale.
In the wake of a string of allegations about MPs' expenses, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suggested scrapping MPs' controversial second-home payment.In the wake of a string of allegations about MPs' expenses, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suggested scrapping MPs' controversial second-home payment.
Sir Stuart told BBC's Newsnight programme: "All of the receipts of 650-odd MPs, redacted and un-redacted, are for sale at a price of £300,000, so I am told. Sir Stuart said: "All of the receipts of 650-odd MPs, redacted and un-redacted, are for sale at a price of £300,000, so I am told.
"The price is going up because of the interest in the subject.""The price is going up because of the interest in the subject."
It may be a theft, but we will get to the bottom of it. In the public interest Sir Stuart BellIt may be a theft, but we will get to the bottom of it. In the public interest Sir Stuart Bell
Asked who was trying to sell the information, Sir Stuart replied: "Well we have a pretty good idea of not the person, but the source, and that is a subject of a House of Commons investigation."Asked who was trying to sell the information, Sir Stuart replied: "Well we have a pretty good idea of not the person, but the source, and that is a subject of a House of Commons investigation."
"It's probably a breach of the Official Secrets Act," Sir Stuart said. "It may be a theft, but we will get to the bottom of it. In the public interest, by the way.""It's probably a breach of the Official Secrets Act," Sir Stuart said. "It may be a theft, but we will get to the bottom of it. In the public interest, by the way."
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We don't believe the newspapers will pay for all of the 650 but they may wish to buy 10 [of the details of those] in the limelight and make use."
Sir Stuart added that all three of the main political parties should commit to reform of MPs' expenses in their manifestos for the next general election.
Newspapers have reported a string of allegations about MPs' expenses in recent weeks, fuelling speculation that information might be being leaked by officials within Parliament.Newspapers have reported a string of allegations about MPs' expenses in recent weeks, fuelling speculation that information might be being leaked by officials within Parliament.
Further angerFurther anger
The allegations have prompted calls for a reform of the additional costs allowance, which covers the cost of an MP staying away from their main residence to perform their parliamentary duties. The allegations have prompted calls for a reform of the additional costs allowance - known as second-home allowance - which covers up to £23,083 of the cost of an MP staying away from their main residence to perform their parliamentary duties.
The row intensified when official figures showed the total amount claimed by MPs went up 6% in 2007-8, to just over £93m. The row intensified when official figures showed the total expenses claimed by MPs went up 6% in 2007-8, to just over £93m.
In a letter to the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, which is looking into MPs' pay expenses, Mr Brown has now urged it to consider replacing the existing payment with a "simpler overnight allowance" that would be independently determined.In a letter to the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, which is looking into MPs' pay expenses, Mr Brown has now urged it to consider replacing the existing payment with a "simpler overnight allowance" that would be independently determined.
He also suggested that all London MPs should receive the same allowance, ending the current distinction which allows those in outer London to make the additional claim for a second home.He also suggested that all London MPs should receive the same allowance, ending the current distinction which allows those in outer London to make the additional claim for a second home.
In his letter to the committee's chairman Sir Christopher Kelly, Mr Brown said: "I would be grateful if you could look to both start and conclude the review earlier than previously indicated to allow us to make progress on the issue as soon as practical".In his letter to the committee's chairman Sir Christopher Kelly, Mr Brown said: "I would be grateful if you could look to both start and conclude the review earlier than previously indicated to allow us to make progress on the issue as soon as practical".
Additional costsAdditional costs
He suggested the committee considered scrapping the controversial second-home allowance in favour of a simpler system.
London MPs should be prevented from claiming for second homes altogether, he indicated, and others moved to "a simpler, overnight allowance that is independently determined".
The prime minister's intervention came after allegations about allowances claimed by ministers involved Employment Minister Tony McNulty and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.The prime minister's intervention came after allegations about allowances claimed by ministers involved Employment Minister Tony McNulty and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
MPs can claim a maximum of £23,083 in such costs every year, including those who live in outer London. The Commons authorities have been working to prepare around a million receipts filed by MPs for publication, after losing a long-running freedom of information battle to keep them secret.
The documents have now started circulating to members for them to check and make representations on which parts should be deleted for security and other reasons.
They are expected to prove damaging to many MPs when they are published before the summer recess.
It emerged that Mr McNulty claimed the allowance towards his parents' home in Harrow which he used in addition to a flat in central London.It emerged that Mr McNulty claimed the allowance towards his parents' home in Harrow which he used in addition to a flat in central London.
Ms Smith was criticised for claiming more than £116,000 in allowances for her family home in the West Midlands after nominating her sister's property in London - where she stayed several nights a week - as her main residence.Ms Smith was criticised for claiming more than £116,000 in allowances for her family home in the West Midlands after nominating her sister's property in London - where she stayed several nights a week - as her main residence.