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Monday 11 November 2013

Halls of residence for MPs


The Derby Telegraph reports:-

Derby North's Chris Williamson has called for all MPs to live in halls of residence so accommodation expenses could be axed. Paul Whyatt reports.

IT'S the story that will not go away – MPs and their expenses.

Labour's Dame Margaret Beckett is among the latest to come under fire, after it emerged she claimed £3,960 for gas and electricity at her Derby home.

The claim – over a 12-month period – was the fifth highest out of the 650 MPs at Westminster. While MPs are allowed to claim for energy bills on second homes, question marks were raised at how much she racked up.

Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Mrs Beckett blamed the high bill on a fault with her heating system. She added a family illness meant the property was being occupied for longer.

But that explanation did not go down well with readers who looked at the story on our website, with one calling for MPs to be put up in halls of residence.

Asked whether he agreed, Mr Williamson, who claimed £229 for his energy bill, said: "I wouldn't disagree with that.

7 comments:

Mark Wadsworth said...

Agreed. It is not a new or original idea but has a lot of merit.

Plus, they will be able to conduct their extra-marital affairs much more discreetly.

A K Haart said...

Mark - yes it's an oldie but as you say it has much merit.

Sackerson said...

You mean, don't let them leave Eton/Harrow?

Demetrius said...

What name? Dotheboys Hall?

A K Haart said...

Sackers - that's a good refinement. Let their parents pay for their inevitable and horribly expensive mistakes - forever.

Demetrius - unfortunately I suspect that's appropriate for some.

Macheath said...

What's wrong with the Olympic Village?

Plus it would set a useful precedent for explaining to an assortment of benefit claimants that you can't just pick and choose where to live at someone else'e expense.

A K Haart said...

Mac - the Olympic Village sounds fine to me. Strange world isn't it where you know rational ideas won't be taken up?