Stunell demands end to 'taxpayers tab' in Parliament

11.20.20am GMT Wed 9th Nov 2005

Parliament's £6 million meal subsidy and a £1.5 million security project have been attacked by Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell. In a Commons debate this week, Mr Stunell told MPs that if a local council had behaved so carelessly with its money it would have been taken over by Whitehall years ago.

Mr Stunell told Parliament:

"The catering subsidy for the parliamentary estate is running at £6 million a year. That is without adding the cost of power, light, and heating for the whole catering operation."

Last year Mr Stunell forced Parliament to cap the catering subsidy figure. Now he says it should be drastically cut back.

He also criticised a new £1.5 million screen erected between the viewing gallery and the House of Commons Chamber:

"The screen that was installed was not the design that was had approved. We must be the only Parliament in western Europe that, when it takes action to improve public accessibility, finishes up blocking off the view of half the parliamentary Chamber. It is a £1.5 million blunder.

Mr Stunell, who has gained a reputation in Parliament for slating sloppy and wasteful Parliamentary practice, says it is a risky business. "Some see it as the equivalent of spitting in church." ENDS

Notes to Editors:

More of the debate can be found at the Hansard website: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051103/halltext/51103h01.htm#51103h01_spnew17