Wednesday 5 November 2008

Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):  

To ask the Leader of the House, what the limit on expenditure via the Communications Allowance in 2008-09 is, including transfers from Incidental Expenses Provision and Staffing Allowance to the maximum amount permissible.

Chris Bryant:

The Communications Allowance is set at a maximum of £10,400 in 2008-09. This figure will be frozen for the next three years in accordance with the decision of the House on 3 July 2008.

The rules allow Members to transfer up to 10 per cent of their Staffing Allowance, and up to 100 per cent of their Incidental Expenses Provision, into the Communications Allowance and Members may in certain limited circumstances carry forward an unspent balance or ask for an advance from the following year of up to 10 per cent of the allowance.