Martin: To publish figures

The amount of money MPs claim in allowances is to be published for the first time, Commons speaker Michael Martin has revealed.

Following controversy over a Conservative MP's second home allowance, the speaker announced that under the Freedom of Information Act he had an obligation to disclose details of Commons expenses payments.

The first release, which will be published in late 2004, will include the previous three years allowance claims and will show the total sum for each allowance claimed by an MP.

Members of parliament are entitled to over £110,000 a year in allowances for office expenses, staffing, London living and travel to and from the House of Commons.

In a letter to MPs, the speaker said: "This approach meets our Freedom of Information obligation and provides transparency and accountability, while respecting the reasonable personal privacy of Members and their staff."

Critics say the current system, under which allowances remain a private matter between MPs and the House of Commons Fees Office, has allowed MPs to claim payments to which they are not entitled.

Conservative MP Michael Trend was last week criticised after it emerged that he had claimed nearly £100,000 over five years for a second home despite returning to his Windsor constituency most evenings.

The MP said he maintained a London home and insisted he was entitled to claim the second home allowance.