Make MPs reveal expense claim details, peers urged

PEERS were today urged to protect Parliament's reputation by blocking moves to keep details of MPs' expenses secret.

Freedom of information campaigners called on the Lords to oppose Commons Speaker Michael Martin's attempt to stop MPs having to publish all their receipts.

Mr Martin and Commons Leader Harriet Harman have watered down plans for publication.

The Commons authorities have spent around £1 million scanning and editing about a million receipts after losing battles in the High Court and an Information Tribunal. But these are likely never to see the light of day after Ms Harman announced that MPs will be asked to back changes to the system so they do not have to reveal exactly how they have spent public funds.

Instead, expenditure would be published under 26 categories, including hotels, repairs, council tax, utility bills, mortgage interest, rent, fixtures and fittings. This would let MPs conceal money spent on plasma TV screens, gardeners,window cleaners and furniture, as not all receipts would be published.

Maurice Frankel, director of The Campaign for Freedom of Information, said: "Chief Constables, local authority chief executives and others have to release individual expenses claims. Peers should ensure MPs are treated the same as other public figures."Commons Leader Ms Harman insisted that the public will be given more information than ever before.

However, Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker said: "After the fiasco of MPs' expenses, there is a great deal of work to be done rebuilding confidence in the Commons.

"This simply undermines it."