Dr Vincent Cable, Twickenham's MP, says: "You may have seen that my personal claims for expenses (housing; transport) are very low. My 'expenses' relate to the cost of doing my job, i.e. overwhelmingly, office rent and equipment, staff salaries.

"IT equipment and support is, I believe, part of the postage account. I receive no money for postage expenses. The cost is the notional cost of stationary and stamps to the House of Commons. My total is not large compared with some MPs. I do send out very large numbers of letters since I do a lot of work and attract a lot of correspondence.

"The cost, I think, works out at one letter for every three constituents for that year. Since many receive several letters, the sum is not that large. Note that the cost to the House of Commons of answering all the letters and cards I received on hunting is well over £1000.

"I am conscious of the need for moderation and am careful to ensure that my correspondence is not used for political propaganda but for matters which I am taking up as the local MP. There are rules defined by the Sergeant at Arms and I consult him on borderline cases.

"All my party political material is delivered by volunteers and my personal six monthly Report Back delivery is paid for out of my own pocket. I have to say that I am baffled by the very low figures of some MPs. Perhaps they should be asked why they send out so few letters."

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

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