Please click on the links below to see my expense claims from the Additional Costs Allowance (often referred to as the Second Homes Allowance) for the first 3 years of my time as MP, after I was elected in 2005. Each link opens up as a PDF file which shows claims forms for one year.
Some details, including personal information, have been redacted in accordance with established guidance. Figures for all claimed amounts are there to see, as is information on the purpose for which they were spent.
These details were due to be published in July 2009 by the House of Commons. Rather than wait unnecessarily, I have now decided to publish them at this stage as they are now available to me.
I will also publish details of expenses claimed for the year 2008/09 when it is forwarded to me from the House of Commons fees office.
Mark Clarifies Invoice in 2005/06 return
On Page 47 of my expenses claims for 2005/06, you will see an invoice for 2 nights in a double room. The invoice incorrectly suggests that 2 persons used this room. This is simply an error on the invoice as I had sole occupancy of this room. There is a handwritten note at the top stating “Pay ½ only”. That was part of my instruction to the Fees Office, and I made clear to them that I had sole occupancy of the room.
It is often the case when booking an hotel room for one person to be allocated with a double room.
I made it clear to the Fees office as soon as I noticed the error that the hotel should only receive half of the monies claimed in the invoice (i.e. the charge for occupancy by one person). That is the total amount that was paid.
This point was carried in a previous report by the Daily Telegraph which can be viewed here.