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| Lord Laird most expensive peer | Lord Laird most expensive peer |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Lord Laird claimed more than £73,000 in expenses and allowances in 2008/09, making him the most expensive peer in the House of Lords last year. | Lord Laird claimed more than £73,000 in expenses and allowances in 2008/09, making him the most expensive peer in the House of Lords last year. |
| Peers are not paid a salary, but can claim expenses for travel to and from Westminster and on Lords business. | Peers are not paid a salary, but can claim expenses for travel to and from Westminster and on Lords business. |
| The cross-bench peer claimed £30,734 for overnight subsistence, £12,319 for daytime subsistence, £13,679 for office costs and £14,564 for air fares. | The cross-bench peer claimed £30,734 for overnight subsistence, £12,319 for daytime subsistence, £13,679 for office costs and £14,564 for air fares. |
| He also claimed £1,822 for rail/ferry/coach travel and £598 for postage. | He also claimed £1,822 for rail/ferry/coach travel and £598 for postage. |
| The figures cover the period between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009. | The figures cover the period between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009. |
| Peers can also claim daily expenses of up to £174 while away from their main home, £86.50 for daytime expenses such as meals and £75 for office costs. | Peers can also claim daily expenses of up to £174 while away from their main home, £86.50 for daytime expenses such as meals and £75 for office costs. |
| Lord Laird attended 145 days in parliament, and he defended his claims, saying: "I am a full-time member of the Lords. | Lord Laird attended 145 days in parliament, and he defended his claims, saying: "I am a full-time member of the Lords. |
| "I come over every week - I go out from Northern Ireland on a Sunday and come back on a Friday. | "I come over every week - I go out from Northern Ireland on a Sunday and come back on a Friday. |
| "People want to be represented in parliament and that's what I do." | "People want to be represented in parliament and that's what I do." |
| Among the biggest claimants for travel expenses were cross-bencher Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (£18,344), and the Ulster Unionist Lord Rogan (£16,636). | Among the biggest claimants for travel expenses were cross-bencher Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (£18,344), and the Ulster Unionist Lord Rogan (£16,636). |