DAVID HEATH CALLS FOR "MAXIMUM TRANSPARENCY"

8.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th Jun 2009

Somerton and Frome MP, David Heath, has today given evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Mr Heath has urged the committee, chaired by Sir Christopher Kelly, to reform to the system of expenses. The inquiry has come after a national newspaper unearthed farcical items such as manure and duck houses that had been claimed for by MPs.

Speaking on London accommodation, Mr Heath said that it is necessary for those with constituencies at a large distance from London to have a second home so that they can do their job properly. However he stated that the current system of claiming housing expenses is open to abuse.

Mr Heath advocated a system where MPs would live in rented property, where the payment of rent would be agreed between the House authorities and the Landlord so that no money would pass through MPs hands. By reforming the expenses system in this way advantage cannot be taken of it.

Mr Heath criticised the House for not accepting the recommendation to introduce a full independent audit a year ago and called for a system based on "maximum transparency" by using an external audit to ensure that all expenses claimed are necessary.

Mr Heath also spoke about how MPs staff members are paid. At present staff pay is lumped in with other expenses. He said that the current system suggests that having staff is a desirable asset rather than a necessity. Whilst Gordon Brown has proposed that MPs staff should be employed centrally, Mr Heath cautioned that staff need autonomy from the House so that they can work effectively on behalf of constituents.

Mr Heath said:

"Living in the heart of Somerset, it has not been possible for me to commute to and from London for the kinds of hours that I work in Parliament. I've not felt comfortable with the second homes system, and have chosen to rent. The abuses that have come to light have not only undermined the confidence that the public had in Parliament, but they have also shocked MPs such as myself who had not considered abuses possible from other MPs. This is why transparency and effective policing of any new system of expenses is incredibly important.

I hope that the committee will appreciate that sudden transitions may cause difficulties for MPs who do not enjoy substantial personal financial assets. I do not want to see people discouraged from becoming MPs because they cannot afford the massive costs that it takes to do the job."