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Salmond urges early audit on MP's expenses PDF Print E-mail
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Wednesday, 17 June 2009

Alex Salmond MP, MSPAlex Salmond has written to the Estimates Committee seeking the publication of a timetable for the audit of MP's expenses.

 

Alex Salmond MP, MSP
Alex Salmond MP, MSP
Last Wednesday (10 June) Alex Salmond MP  attended a cross-party meeting chaired by Jack Straw and raised the issue of the timing of the Independent Audit in to Members Expenses to be conducted by Sir Thomas Legge. The meeting took place amid reports that this matter might take many  months to resolve.

Mr Salmond was assured that the audit would have sufficient resources to be completed by the August – September period of this year.

Mr Salmond has since written to the Chair of the  Estimates Committee, Speaker Michael Martin MP,  urging this timetable be adhered to given the importance of every MP submitting to the independent audit.

The text of Mr Salmond’s letter to the Estimates Committee is provided below.


Dear Michael

You may be aware that I attended a cross-party meeting chaired by Jack Straw last Wednesday in which I raised the forthcoming independent audit into Members’ expenses to be conducted by Sir Thomas Legge.  I made it clear at this meeting that in my view resources should be made available for this inquiry to be conducted as soon as possible, and was given to understand that it will now take place during August and September, which I believe is a satisfactory timescale.

As you know I have frequently argued that the House of Commons should on a permanent basis follow the Scottish Parliament in publishing all expense figures for MPs on a quarterly basis. In my opinion, when everything is fully disclosed in this manner, it will stop abuses and end the media frenzy around disclosure. I know that you share this opinion and have ordered such arrangements on a temporary basis pending the publication of the Kelly Report.

I believe that the it is also necessary to have an early timetable for the audit to take place. The August- September period was indicated at last week’s meeting and I trust that this is what will happen.

On a personal note, I would like to take the opportunity to offer you and Mary my very best wishes for the future.

Yours sincerely

Alex Salmond MP
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 June 2009 )
 
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