March 12, 2008 - By Simon Bennett

It is reported in the Financial Times that MPs will continue to be able to spend up to £400 a month of public money on food and drink without producing a receipt despite a so-called “clampdown” on other expenses announced yesterday (Tuesday).

In addition we learn that from April 1 (April Fools Day appropriately enough) MPs will have to declare any purchase above £25 instead of the current £250. The amount of petty cash that MPs can draw each month for “minor office costs” will also fall from £250 to £50.

But are they taking us for fools? We ask because although it appears to be an improvement that MPs will only be able to claim up to £25 without a supporting receipt – instead of £250 – the fact remains that there is no limit on the number of such unsupported claims they can make in a month! In other words, instead of an MP submitting a single claim for £250 per month – he or she merely submits 10 such, each of £25!

Furthermore, as an indication of the lack of integrity within the House (or, perhaps, a measure of the corrruption that befouls that place) we also learn:

“In an unprecedented move, the information tribunal last month ruled that MPs must disclose details of their additional cost allowances – the £22,110 a year paid to MPs who live outside central London – by late this month. But the Financial Times has learnt that the Commons authorities may appeal to the High Court on the basis that full disclosure – which would include MPs’ home addresses – would leave them vulnerable to cranks and criminals. The Commons is still taking legal advice ahead of any such decision.”

This is a total “red herring” of course, as the Information Commissioner’s recent order to make available for public scrutiny details of MPs allowances and expenses claims already precludes the disclosure of personal information such as home addresses (or is it disclosure of second and third home addresses they fear?). Clearly, some of those corrupt individuals who infest the “House of Common criminals” are “playing for time” – to cover their fraudulent tracks! Such parasites know that appealing to the High Court will be a lengthy process that would have the effect of preventing disclosure for upwards of a year! Such is the calibre of some who pollute that place!

In addition, it is claimed that Parliament is “determined to rebuild public confidence by establishing better audit controls” and – it should be added – by continuing to conceal the theft of public money on a massive scale by corrupt “Honourable Members” of all parties.

Meanwhile, the lack of resolute and principled action by the likes of Brown and Cameron, in demanding that their MPs should FULLY disclose details of their allowances and expenses claiming, speaks volumes for these men – both of whom, incidentally, are no “strangers to the trough” themselves!