§ 53. Mr. Alfred Edwardsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why particulars of moneys paid to Members of Parliament for expenses whilst engaged on Government business are not available to Members; and if he will reconsider the position with a view to giving the total amount paid to date under such account.
§ Sir J. AndersonIt would be a heavy and unprofitable task to keep an adequate central record of all this information, and I certainly cannot undertake to give the total of past payments. I will, however, consider the form in which a list can be made available to the House, shoWinģ the sums payable to those Members for whom regular expense allowances have been authorised.
§ Mr. EdwardsIs the Chancellor not aware that the impression has gone abroad, rightly or wrongly, that very considerable sums of money are received by these people, and that it is very unfair to the people concerned if a statement is not available to the public?
§ Sir J. AndersonI will see what I can do.
§ Mr. ThorneWill the Chancellor state what amount is allowed per day for these individuals? Is he aware that when I went to Russia, I was paid two guineas a day?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. I will see that the statement shows the amount per day where there is a regular expenses allowance.
§ Mr. MaxtonWill the Chancellor give us a guide as to how to get on the list?
§ Mr. GallacherIf the Chancellor considers providing such information, would it not be desirable also to provide information as to the expenses which Members are getting from outside organisations?
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan the Chancellor say whether the two guineas per day allowed in Russia, compared with the lower figure here, was due to the cost of living being much higher in Russia?
§ Sir J. AndersonI do not know.