Members' Allowances
I beg to move motion 1,
(1) That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's decision of 23 March 2009 to invite the Committee on Standards in Public Life to inquire into Members' allowances;
(2) That it is necessary to recognise the additional costs incurred by hon. Members as a result of the need for them to undertake parliamentary duties both in Westminster and their constituency;
(3) That, in the opinion of this House, any new arrangements relating to Members' allowances ought to—
(a) take account of hon. Members' attendance at Westminster,
(b) be transparent and accountable, and
(c) reduce the existing annual limits on the allowances which hon. Members may claim, producing overall cost savings;
(4) That, to resolve this matter urgently and in a way that will command maximum public support, it would be desirable for the House to have an opportunity to consider any recommendations from the Committee as early as possible.
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: amendment (j) to motion 1, in paragraph (1), leave out from 'allowances' to end of the motion and add
'; believes that in order to command maximum public support for change the House should defer its conclusions until after the Committee has reported; and further believes it would be desirable for the House to have an opportunity to consider any recommendations from the Committee as early as possible.'.
Amendment (l) to motion 1, at end of paragraph (3)(a) insert
'but not permit a per diem allowance.'.