A new approach to transparency
19 Jun 09
The MPs second homes scandal doesn’t get any less murky
Westminster MPs yesterday boldly redefined the terms “transparency” and “freedom of information” when details of members’ expenses claims were released, with large chunks of information blacked out. This was supposedly for security reasons, although campaigners for freedom of information argue that without at least partial address information, abuses such as “flipping” second homes, or claiming for homes that are nowhere near either the MP’s constituency or Westminster would not be apparent.
According to the House of Commons authorities. The amount of money repaid by MPs has increased to £478,616. More than 180 MPs, including nine Cabinet ministers, have repaid individual sums ranging from more than £40,000 to just £1.
It begs the question, how much would they have repaid if the Telegraph had not got its scoop, and if we had only seen the claims in yesterday’s highly censored form?
On a happier note, while we can’t offer a second home there is still the chance to win a break at a luxury Malmaison hotel. The competition is open until 23 June. See the new, online edition of New CA for details at www.camagonline.co.uk/NewCA