text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  MP's remuneration - External audits and no more furniture - rejected
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  The majority of MPs voted to against accepting recommendations 1-4, 6, 7 and 13[1] of the 
  the following recomendations made by the Member's Estimate Committee.[2]
  
  They did this by replacing the motion which read:[3]
  
  **This House 
  * ''welcomes'' the Third Report from the Members Estimate Committee: Review of Members Allowances (House of Commons Paper 578); 
  * ''endorses'' in particular the recognition of the need for a robust system of scrutiny for parliamentary allowances and the accompanying emphasis in the Report on improved audit; 
  **and is of the opinion that
  * Recommendations 1-5 (audit and assurance), 
  * Recommendations 6 and 7 (scope of overnight expenses), 
  * Recommendations 9 and 10 (Communications Allowance), 
  * Recommendations 11 and 12 (travel), 
  * Recommendations 13 and 14 (overnight expenses), 
  * Recommendation 15 (resettlement), and 
  * Recommendations 16-18 (other SSRB recommendations) 
  ** should be implemented, subject to decisions of the Members Estimate Committee with respect to their introduction and application;
  
  with an alternative motion, which read:[4]
  
  **This House 
  * ''welcomes'' the report from the Members Estimate Committee; 
  * ''recognises'' the need to strengthen the system of scrutiny and is of the opinion that a rigorous internal system of audit of the Additional Costs Allowance be introduced covering 25 per cent. of hon. Members each year, and every hon. Member each Parliament;
  ** and is of the opinion that Recommendations-- 
  * 5 (staff contracts), 
  * 8 (constituency offices), 
  * 9 and 10 (communications allowance), 
  * 11 and 12 (travel), 
  * 14 (overnight expenses), 
  * 15 (resettlement), and 
  * 16, 17 and 18 (other SSRB recommendations) 
  **be approved; 
  
  The rejected recommendations are as follows:
  
  Recommendation 1 was for a "robust new system of practice assurance involving regular financial health checks on records kept and processes used in Members' offices with outside professional teams covering about 25% of Members each year".  This was substituted by a "rigorous ''internal'' system of audit".
  
  Recommendation 2 would have extended "the scope of the audit engagement so that it is the same as for other public bodies."
  
  Recommendation 3 would have reduced the receipt threshold from Â£25 to zero so that all claims, however small, would have had to be backed by receipts.
  
  Recommendation 4 was for the Green Book (setting out the rules on allowances for Members) to be revised to specify more detailed rules.
  
  Recommendation 6 was for MPs to no longer be able to claim reimbursement for furniture and household goods or for capital improvements.
  
  Recommendation 7 was that MPs representing constituencies in outer London should be eligible to claim half of any overnight expenses allowance.
  
  Recommendation 13 was for the Additional Costs Allowance to comprise of a Â£19,600 maximum budget for accommodation (excluding furniture, household goods and capital improvements) but operating on the basis of itemised reimbursement and a flat rate of Â£30 for daily subsistence.
  
  * [1] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmmemest/578/57812.htm Conclusions and Recommendations], Members Estimate Committee - Third Report, House of Commons, 23 June 2008
  * [2] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmmemest/578/57802.htm Members Estimate Committee - Third Report], House of Commons, 23 June 2008 
  * [3] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-07-03a.1095.0 Nick Harvey MP], House of Commons, 3 July 2008
  * [4] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-07-03a.1095.0#g1120.1 Don Touhig MP], House of Commons, 3 July 2008
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  