Expenses answers
The Speaker John Bercow has confirmed that Sir Ian Kennedy is chairman-designate of the new MPs watchdog, the (IPSA).
A noisy House became noisier still as he announced that Sir Ian's salary would be "no more than Β£100,000". That is, of course, rather more than MPs get. The appointment has to be confirmed by the House before he can be formally appointed by the Queen.
I wonder if there will be a vote...all it will take is for someone to shout "object" at the right moment.
Sir Ian has just issued this statement: "I am starting work immediately. I met the officials supporting me this morning and have given them clear instructions on the way forward.
"Public faith in Parliament has been severely hit by the events of the last few months and I have no illusions about the scale of the task ahead. It will take time and effort to earn back the trust that has been lost. MPs must be able to fulfil their important public work, both representing their constituents and fulfilling their parliamentary duties. We must set out a framework which allows them to do so and which reflects the concerns of the public.
"The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority must now establish a new system of MPs' allowances. It must be fair and effective, and also respond to the public's concerns. This work is already underway, and I and my colleagues will ensure that it is taken forward with rigour, pace and objectivity, listening all the way to the public."
Meanwhile Harriet Harman, the Leader of the House, has confirmed the Kelly proposals on reforming MPs allowances will not be voted on by the Commons.
Gordon Brown and David Cameron have both pledged to support .
The only real traction MPs have over the process is through the Speakers Committee on IPSA. Its members are a pretty senior bunch - Sir Stuart Bell, Liz Blackman and Don Touhig for Labour; Sir George Young for the Conservatives and the Lib Dem Nick Harvey.
Nick Harvey, older hands will remember, was the architect of a rather less stringent package of expenses reforms that was voted down by insurgent backbenchers - a vote I suspect a few of them rather regret.
I'm Mark D'Arcy and I'll be writing about what goes on in the chambers and committee rooms at Westminster.
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