Request for expenses for James Gray MP (North Wilts)

Dear Mr Mathers,

Please could you specify the dates for which this information is
required.

Mandy Kelly
Freedom of Information Assistant
020 7219 8805

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Thank you.

Mandy Kelly
Freedom of Information Assistant
020 7219 8805

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Dear Mr Mathers

Thank you for clarifying the dates for which you require information.

We shall deal with your request promptly and let you have a response by
16 April 2008.

If you have any queries about your request, please contact me.

Mandy Kelly
Freedom of Information Assistant
020 7219 8805

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Dear Mr Mathers

Thank you for your request which is copied below

In a recent case (February 2008) the Information Tribunal decided that
information about the Additional Costs Allowance (the second home
allowance) should be disclosed to the level you requested. This has
clear implications in relation to the amount of information we should
provide for the other allowances. However, the House has appealed
against that decision to the High Court. Until that matter has been
brought to a conclusion the House will continue to argue that release of
full details about allowance claims would result in a breach of first
data protection principle and is therefore exempt under section 40(2) of
the FOIA. This is an absolute exemption and the public interest does not
apply.

While the this information is currently exempt, the House has taken the
decision to prepare for publication detailed information about allowance
expenditure by all Members. The intended scheme will take full account
of the Information Commissioner's decisions. The first stage of this
publication which it is intended will eventually cover all years for
which information is held will take place later this year. Until that
time the information will be exempt under section 22 of the Act
(information intended for future publication).

The House will consider complaints in relation to its handling of this
request. These should be addressed to [House of Commons request email] Please
ensure that you specify the nature of your complaint and any arguments
or points that you wish to make. If you remain dissatisfied, you may
appeal to the Information Commissioner at Wycliffe House, Water Lane,
Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Yours Sincerely

Bob Castle

________________________________________________

Bob Castle

House of Commons Data Protection and Freedom of Information Officer

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