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House of Lords: 20 peers claim £1.6m during the past five years – and never speak in debates House of Lords: 20 peers claim £1.6m during the past five years – and never speak in debates
(35 minutes later)
Twenty peers who have said almost nothing during debates in the House of Lords have received more than £1.6m in allowances and travel expenses during the past five years.Twenty peers who have said almost nothing during debates in the House of Lords have received more than £1.6m in allowances and travel expenses during the past five years.
Baroness Smith, widow of the former Labour Party leader John Smith, had claimed £202,000 in allowances and travel costs despite not taking part in any debates during the period, The Daily Telegraph reported.Baroness Smith, widow of the former Labour Party leader John Smith, had claimed £202,000 in allowances and travel costs despite not taking part in any debates during the period, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Lord Kirkhill, a former Labour Scotland minister, was paid £156,900 but took part in only two debates. He also received £78,747 to cover flights from Aberdeen.Lord Kirkhill, a former Labour Scotland minister, was paid £156,900 but took part in only two debates. He also received £78,747 to cover flights from Aberdeen.
And Lord Crathorne, a former Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, claimed £117,900, and nearly £30,000 in travel costs.And Lord Crathorne, a former Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, claimed £117,900, and nearly £30,000 in travel costs.
Alistair Graham, a former head of the Commons Standards Committee, said: “There should be an urgent attempt by the leaders of the political parties to implement political reform. The House of Lords has become an absurd joke. It needs a fundamental overhaul and the sooner it comes the better.” Lord Crathorne was Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire from 1999 until 2014 (Learningcortex/Creative Commons) Alistair Graham, a former head of the Commons Standards Committee, said: “There should be an urgent attempt by the leaders of the political parties to implement political reform. The House of Lords has become an absurd joke. It needs a fundamental overhaul and the sooner it comes the better.”