Details relating to Chris Huhne's iPads

Request

Please could I be told what happened to the iPad former MP Chris Huhne bought on expenses in December last year, shortly before resigning from his seat. ie, whether he returned it, handed it to his successor, repaid the claim etc.

Response

It is the responsibility of the outgoing Member of Parliament to determine the appropriate treatment of office equipment paid for through the Scheme and, consequently, IPSA does not hold the information you request.

IPSA publicly consulted on this issue in 2011 as part of the annual review of the MPs' Scheme of Business Costs and Expenses ('the Scheme').

In our report on the consultation, we stated our position relating to office equipment paid for through the Scheme when an MP leaves Parliament.  At paragraphs 9.10 and 9.11 of the report on the consultation, we stated that “given the storage and logistical resources involved, IPSA is not able to take possession of the equipment left by outgoing MPs” and that “MPs will want to treat their equipment in different ways, with some wanting to pass it on and others wanting to give it to charity”.  You can view the full report on the consultation via this link to the corporate publication section of IPSA's website.

We are currently consulting on this issue as part of our annual review of the Scheme.  For more information, you can view the consultation document via this link to consultation section of IPSA’s website.

Ref:
F1314-167
Disclosure:
29 November 2013
Categories:
GENERAL EXPENSES ENQUIRY
Exemptions Applied:
None