Tuesday 15 July 2008

John Mann (Bassetlaw):  

To ask the Leader of the House, how many hon. Members claimed additional costs allowance in respect of a second home (a) in London, (b) in the hon. Member's constituency and (c) elsewhere in the last period for which figures are available.

Helen Goodman:

Hon. Members are entitled to claim the Additional Costs Allowance when staying away from their main home on parliamentary business. The allowance may be used for help with the cost of purchase or rental of a property, or for hotel or other overnight costs. Currently 441 Members claim the allowance for staying in London and 148 in their constituency.

Of the 148 Members claiming the allowance for staying in the constituency, 34 have homes that fall outside the constituency boundary. All of these are within 20 miles of the boundary, in accordance with the rules that allow second homes to be located up to 20 miles outside the constituency.