Hughes welcomes Standards Committee encouragement - and warning that they will be watching us

7.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Jun 2008

Responding to the letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons from the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House of Commons said:

''I am grateful that Sir Christopher Kelly has accepted the invitation made by Harriet Harman and by me to express a view on the proposals for MPs pay and allowances from the Members' Estimates Committee.

''The specific welcome given by the Committee on Standards for some of the proposals on pay audit and allowances is encouraging.

''The Committee is right, however to point out that whatever decisions MPs take this Thursday will only be justified if we can put an end to continuing public concerns, close loopholes and stop MPs making a profit out of our expenses.

''Although we may this week end the system of regular votes by MPs on their pay, we must be willing to come back regularly and review the expenses rules to make sure that abuse and exploitation is absolutely brought to an end''.

[ENDS]