MPs' Expenses Made Public |
Albeit with 'sensitive' claims black out The expenses claims of every Member of Parliament have been made available online for the first time, but some key details have been blacked out. The Commons authorities made the decision to publish the details after a long running Freedom of Information battle. Claims made by all 646 MPs under three different allowances since 2004 have been listed alphabetically on the Parliament website with thousands of receipts included too. Last year the Commons agreed to blank out certain sensitive information including addresses and communications with the Fees office. “The scans have been edited to remove information which could cause serious security issues and breach the privacy of the MP, their staff and other third parties,” the House of Commons website says. According to the Daily Telegraph, MPs were given several weeks to inspect the documents and black out information they believe should be withheld. As well as their salaries, all MPs, apart from the 25 who represent inner London constituencies, can also claim up to £24,000 a year in allowances towards the cost of staying away from home while on parliamentary business. Local MPs' Expenses: Ann Keen - Brentford and Isleworth Andrew Slaughter - Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush Greg Hands - Hammersmith and Fulham Other MPs expenses can be found here
June 18, 2009 |