Paul Goodman

SOUTH Bucks MPs use expenses to pay mortgage interest and council tax.

Figures released by the Conservatives show three of its MPs covering south Bucks spent an estimated £55,365 from April 1 to June 30.

The biggest spender was Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan whose expenses and allowances came to a total of £22,201.

The shadow secretary of state for Wales paid £4,316 in mortgage interest and £257 in council tax.

A further £2,134 was claimed for travel, including journeys to Wales in association with her front bench work.

She said of the expenses' publication: "It is absolutely right - we have no problem in being transparent."

The report also declares her staff includes husband Jack Leeming who is employed as a part-time researcher in the salary band of £10,000-£20,000.

Wycombe MP Paul Goodman paid £2,112 towards mortgage interest for his home in Wycombe and £416 for council tax as part of a £11,661 spend.

He said it was "wrong" receipts are not needed for some items.

Mr Goodman said: "The flaws in the system have left MPs with a choice. They either claim, in which case they are inevitably drawn in to controversy, or they don't, in which case they're out of pocket."

He added: "I don't claim petty cash without receipts, and pre-book second class train seats when travelling on shadow ministerial business."

Beaconsfield MP and shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve's £12,503 spend included £1,616 council tax, covering the whole year.

Aylesbury MP David Lidington, whose constituency includes Princes Risborough, claimed £8,020.

* The Conservatives have published the expenses claimed by all its Front Bench MPs for the last three months as part of leader David Cameron's 'continued efforts to bring greater openness to the issue of MPs' expenses and allowances', the party said.

2:56pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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