§ Mr. Kirkasked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make a statement regarding the reimbursement of additional postal and telephone expenses incurred by Members of this House or of the House of Lords who are also members of the European Parliament.
§ Mr. PriorIn accordance with the resolution passed by the House on 11th June, it is proposed that from 10th December 1973 certain additional postal and telephone expenses incurred on official business by United Kingdom members of the European Parliament may be reimbursed from public funds. These relate to official telephone calls from Westminster to Strasbourg or Luxembourg on United Kingdom parliamentary business ; calls between Strasbourg or Luxembourg and Members' constituencies; and postal expenses incurred in sending correspondence or official publications from the United Kingdom to Strasbourg or Luxembourg.
Any other additional postal and telephone expenses likely to be officially incurred by United Kingdom members of the European Parliament are understood to be reimbursable under arrangements provided by the European Parliament. Details of the proposed procedure for making claims under these new arrangements will be notified shortly to the Members concerned.