How MPs use their £250 'expenses fiddle' to buy iPods and fishtanks

Fishtanks and iPods were among examples of items, given in evidence to a freedom of information tribunal, which might slip under the net.

They can also claim £400 worth of shopping each month without a receipt.

The revelations came as Andrew Walker, Commons' director general of resources, was questioned at the tribunal set up to rule on a four-year battle between MPs and freedom of information campaigners over whether they should be forced to publish a breakdown of their claims under the controversial second homes allowance.

The allowance, which costs the taxpayer £11.8million a year, is intended to help MPs run a second home near Westminster, covering such items as mortgage, food, cleaning, furniture, energy bills, TV licences and parking.

Mr Walker, who oversees the department handing out allowances, came under fire as he tried to defend their right to secrecy.

Asked to comment on claims MPs could use the allowance to buy topof- the-range TVs, fishtanks and MP3 players, he said: "It's unlikely we would allow plasma TV. I don't know the price of the cheapest but I think our price limits would exclude it.

"Fishtanks may be claimable but, interestingly, one case of a claim for a fishtank was brought to my attention that we rejected."

He said his department's officers would refuse to sign off a claim for a personal stereo, but because of the £250 receipts rule it would be easy to fiddle.

"If an MP puts in a claim of £100 for food and he had really bought an iPod, we would pay the £100 on the assumption that it was for food and not for an iPod," said Mr Walker.

It also became clear that anyone fiddling is unlikely to be caught.

Last year the National Audit Office carried out just 47 spot checks on such claims – one for every £255,000 of public money spent.

Philip Coppel, a barrister for rightto- know campaigners, said the number of checks was "simply inadequate".

But Mr Walker insisted: "On the contrary. It is very professional."