HC Deb 08 February 1985 vol 72 cc695-7W
Mr. Eggar

asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has received from hon. Members with regard to the additional costs allowance.

Mr. Biffen

A number of hon. Members have approached me in recent months on the question of

are retained in the House of Commons Library. Information for financial year 1985–86 will be contained in the Main Estimates to be presented to Parliament in March.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all aid given by the United Kingdom to each country in central and south America in each of the last five years; and if he will list in each case whether the aid was provided (a) directly, (b) through an international organisation or (c) unconditionally.

Mr. Raison

Aid from Her Majesty's Government to countries in central and south America is provided either directly or through international organisations. 1983 is the latest year for which figures are available. Details of multilateral aid attributable to the United Kingdom are available for 1980–82 only at this stage.

Gross British aid through bilateral and multilateral channels was as follows:

whether mortgage interest payments should be allowable against this allowance which is governed by the resolution of the House dated 20 December 1971.

In claiming this allowance the responsibility is upon hon. Members to satisfy themselves that any moneys claimed have been necessarily incurred in pursuance of their Parliamentary duties and that they met all the other requirements set out in the resolution. After further consultations, I have been advised that there is no reason why Members should not claim mortgage interest payments against this allowance so long as the above conditions are met.