MEP expenses

Bluemerle · 23-07-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

The recent outburst from Tom Wise at last night`s hustings, if it has been accurately reported to GLW and by GLW ,is a real eye-opener. Looks like it is a case of when in Rome do as the Rome does.

Amazing, perhaps we will get the clean up we all want.

Mark Croucher · 23-07-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

That's true, but I have always wondered why they didn't just bank the money, pay the tax on it and then pay it out again to the fund. It would lose 40% of its value but 60% is better than nothing.

Because its not the use of the money that the EP cares about, its the public declaration of that use. Paying tax on it makes no difference.

Rgds

Mark

Mark Croucher · 23-07-2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrina

if it has been accurately reported to GLW and by GLW , .

If my aunt had nuts she'd be my uncle.

Rgds

Mark

Anthony Butcher · 23-07-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

Because its not the use of the money that the EP cares about, its the public declaration of that use. Paying tax on it makes no difference.

I think that you have misunderstood. MEPs can keep any excess expenses in their pocket, correct?

So why can they not then donate the equivalent post-tax amount from their personal accounts instead? In other words, they are simply making a private donation. They could just promise to donate £500 per month each to the fund for example.

I am not saying that they should do this, or that the fund is the best use of the money, merely that they appear to have made a promise and are using a rather spurious excuse not to stick to it.

Mark Croucher · 23-07-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

I am not saying that they should do this, or that the fund is the best use of the money, merely that they appear to have made a promise and are using a rather spurious excuse not to stick to it.

That would be the rather spurious excuse of having paid back £11,000 out of their own pockets?

And who says they don't?

Rgds

Mark

Anthony Butcher · 23-07-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

That would be the rather spurious excuse of having paid back £11,000 out of their own pockets?

I am aware of that - but what has happened since? Is there a reason that they haven't restarted the scheme in a private capacity instead?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

And who says they don't?

Who says they do? Are you saying that the fund exists and they contribute to it?

Mark Croucher · 23-07-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

That would be the rather spurious excuse of having paid back £11,000 out of their own pockets?

I am aware of that - but what has happened since? Is there a reason that they haven't restarted the scheme in a private capacity instead?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

And who says they don't?

Who says they do? Are you saying that the fund exists and they contribute to it?

Why not ask them, publish their response, and if they have, you can chip in to paying the cash back to the European Parliament?

Rgds

Mark

Anthony Butcher · 23-07-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

Why not ask them, publish their response,

Why don't you ask them, since you are the only person here suggesting that the scheme might still be in place? I am sure that you will speak to an MEP some time tomorrow.

Mark Croucher · 23-07-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

Why not ask them, publish their response,

Why don't you ask them, since you are the only person here suggesting that the scheme might still be in place? I am sure that you will speak to an MEP some time tomorrow.

I'm not suggesting anything, except that things may not be as simple as you are trying to paint them.

Rgds

Mark

Anthony Butcher · 23-07-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Croucher

I'm not suggesting anything, except that things may not be as simple as you are trying to paint them.

Fair enough. It isn't a big issue. It is just one of those things that niggles - the 'reason' doesn't sound entirely plausible.

I am not for one minute suggesting that the MEPs don't put a lot of their money into the party, btw.

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