§ Mr. LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what United Kingdom taxes the general expenditure allowance and the secretarial assistance allowance paid to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament are subject. [38963]
§ Mr. David DavisThe allowances of Members of the European Parliament are not subject to UK taxes.
§ Mr. LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the rules governing the payment of the international travel allowance to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament for non-official meetings. [39865]
188W
§ Mr. DavisTo claim the travel allowance, Members of the European Parliament must make a declaration that the journey was made in pursuit of their duties and provide supporting documentation in the form of an invitation or programme of the visit. The European Parliament guidelines require Members to produce tickets arid receipts in order to obtain a refund of costs.
§ Mr. LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level, in pounds sterling, of the allowance paid to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament for international travel not connected with official meetings. [38964]
§ Mr. DavisA travel allowance of up to 3000 ecu or £2,480 per year is available to MEPs to meet the costs of travel in performance of their duties, for purposes other than official meetings.
§ Mr. LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level, in pounds sterling, of(a) the general expenditure allowance and (b) the secretarial assistance allowance paid to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament. [38962]
§ Mr. DavisThe general expenditure allowance is currently, 3,099 ecu or £2,562 per month.
The secretarial assistance allowance is £8,937 ecu or £7,389 per month.
§ Mr. LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the administration procedure by which United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament claim payment of(a) the general expenditure allowance and (b) the secretarial assistance allowance. [38966]
§ Mr. DavisBoth allowances are claimed by filling out the appropriate application form available in the European Parliament. The general expenditure allowance is paid as a lump sum and without need to produce justification. The secretarial assistance allowance is only paid on declaration of a contact between a Member of the European Parliament and an assistant. The allowance is paid directly to the assistant.