Can we obtain the figures for how much our mp's cost us in total?

Josh Martin, Oxford, Gt.Britain

It's public money that is being used - in theory at least - in connection with expenses incurred in connection with their being an MP. Of course the expenses claimed should be disclosed. Unless, of course, there is something to hide.

Richard, Manchester,

This is public money that is being spent and it is correct that the information is published. However, the system itself needs a serious overhaul. No more, it is public money, lets help ourselves because we are not really breaking the rules. Let us use commercial rules, where receipts would be required by every 'honorable member' and anything without a receipt cannot be claimd and where you cannot claim for anything that you have not had to spend money on, In addition, The smug complacency that exists because they conveniently investigate themselves should also be ended. it is perhaps time that the Inland Revenue investigated every single 'honorable members' tax returns. Being an MP has become a 'get rich quick scheme' that we are all paying for.

J Williams, Manchester,

Funny how the Public Sector employees have to tighten their belts whilst MP's loosen theirs. Funny how the Public Sector have to publish financial statements whilst MP's hide theirs. Funny how few people bother to vote these days........

asmith, Epsom, UK

Good - its public money so how its spent should be in the public domain for all to see.

Rob, London,

If you claim a tax break on anything, and the inland revenue find out about it, you're sent a large bill, and sometimes even prosecuted.

Whats different about the government claiming allowances for things they do not have?

To me, it stinks, and sounds criminal.

Arthur, Newcastle,

Simple Question would you vote for an MP who is not prepared to diclose thier expenses? I will certainly be considering it at the next election?

Lee, Chesham, Bucks

Congratulations to the management of 'The Sunday Times." Newspapers in Australia would never take the trouble to address such an important issue in the manner that The SundayTimes has done. This chapter will hopefully force change in the parliamentary system of Westminister and other countries which follow the Westminister system of government. The judge did not say that it is corrupt, but that terminology fits nicely to my thinking.

Jim Wills, Brisbane, Australia

Sir,

I recall that when I was a British taxpayer, which is not now the case, that the then Inland Revenue required that in order to be considered non taxble, business expenses should be "wholly, necessarily and exclusively" incurred for business purposes.

In the light of the current controversy over M.P's expense and allowances claims, does this test not apply to Members of Parliament and if not why not?

I would dearly like to read a discussion on this point in "The Times."

Carl Hague, Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, Spain

There is no other organisation in the UK that has such generous allowance schemes.

For any other organisation in the UK and for any other person -employed or self-employed HMCE would define all of these expenses as Benefits-In-Kind and make them subject to taxation - at best.

The creativity in claiming would not be possible anywhere else either.

MPs create tax laws but then opt out of living by them....

Mike Carter, Bristol, UK

I'm looking forward to see how ministers living in grace and favour accomoodations such as Blair and Beckett could rack up such levels of additional costs allowance.

Transparency has been a long time coming and MPs should accept it with grace - in the 21st century where everyone else has to submit claim forms, it is their duty to account for their expenses.

It might even help the Speaker and his groupies to be serious about reform, finally realising that they pussyfoot around with their reform at their peril. If they were sensible they would seize this opportunity and go for radical reform having a similar system to the Scottish Parliament where full details of all expenses are published online. Maybe then the public will regain their trust of policians.

Augustus, Cambridge, UK

What good is "transparent" if you still can't touch them?

Marty, London, England

If a salesman tried to claim expenses this way, they would be thrown out ,most likely he would be out of a job, but then we are talking M.P's here, They haven't a clue how the man in the street lives.

catherine crighton, livingston, west lothian

well, pigs in the trough i think covers it. do they not care that some people who live in this country will never earn in a year what they claim in expenses? no wonder there is apathy amongst the voters.

Phl Barnes, Preston, england