Expenses incurred as a result of the parliamentary recall

Request

I write to request details of expense claims submitted by MPs to attend the recall of parliament on Wednesday April 10.

In particular how many MPs submitted claims for travel, accommodation and other categories where applicable.

Where possible, giving the name of the MP, the amount claimed and the amount paid by IPSA under each category.

If this is not available, to request  the total claimed and paid out in expenses connected to the recall.

And where possible to request a breakdown of how many MPs from each party submitted a claim, and for what amount.

If this information is not yet available, please advise on when you expect it to be ready.

Response

Members of Parliament are permitted, under the MPs’ Scheme of Business Costs and Expenses (‘the Scheme’), to claim for expenses legitimately incurred as a result of their parliamentary duties, including those related to the recall of Parliament. 

Under the Scheme, MPs are allowed a maximum of 90 days for submission of claims after a business cost or expense has been incurred.  Claims relating to expenses made in April may be submitted at any point up to July.

IPSA does not therefore currently hold the information you request. 

Once the 90 day submission period has ended, all claims for expenses are then published on our expenses website every two months, three months in arrears.  Claims made in April and May 2013 will be published from 12th September 2013.  Further information on future publication dates is available on our website. 

Section 22(1) of the FOIA states that information intended for future publication is exempt from release.

We have considered whether the public interest in releasing the information outweighs the application of the exemption. It is our opinion that the public interest is best served by publishing a full list rather than on an ad hoc basis, as in this way a clear and complete set of information is published, avoiding any potential confusion. It is for this reason that the application of the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure at this stage.

Ref:
F1314-014
Disclosure:
29 April 2013
Categories:
PARLIAMENTARY RECALL
Exemptions Applied:
Section 22