Wednesday 26 November 2008

Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):  

To ask the Leader of the House, pursuant to the Answer of 5th November 2008, Official Report, column 461W, on members: allowances, whether hon. Members are able to spend the communications allowance during the period once a general election has been announced but parliament has not yet been dissolved.

Chris Bryant:

Members can only incur costs against the Communications Allowance for the period prior to the dissolution of the House. The rules for the use of allowances around the time of a general election are set out in the booklet 'General Election Arrangements: Rules for Members'. This states that "Claims from the Communications Allowance which relate to the period after the date the House is dissolved will not be met. Entitlement to the allowances recommences on the day after polling day for returned Members. The use of such resources is prohibited during the dissolution."