HC Deb 21 December 1972 vol 848 cc447-8W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will publish as much detailed information as may be readily available, giving for the longest period of time the number of Members of both Houses of Parliament who have claimed and received more than one expense for living away from home when engaged on parliamentary affairs.

Mr. Prior

Of the 89 Members who have, since 1st April 1972, claimed sub- sistence allowances as members of Select Committees or the United Kingdom delegations to the Council of Europe, Western European Union and North Atlantic Assemblies, 75 have submitted claims for the additional cost of living away from home.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) by what statutory authority Members of both Houses of Parliament are allowed to claim more than one expense allowance when engaged on work connected with their parliamentary duties;

(2) whether he will take steps to ensure that Members of Parliament are enabled to claim only one daily expense allowance.

Mr. Prior

As I explained to the hon. Member in reply to a Question on 7th December, Members are not entitled to draw more than one allowance to cover the same expenses, and the possibility of their claiming more than one daily expense allowance for the same costs and the same period of time does not therefore arise.

Allowances payable from the House of Commons Vote on account of expenses Members incur in carrying out their Parliamentary duties are authorised, and defined, by Resolutions of the House.