Roger Berry (Kingswood, Labour)

To ask the Leader of the House what discussions she has had with the House authorities on the interpretation of the requirement in the Additional Costs Allowance rules, paragraph 3.11.1 of the 2006 Green Book, that 'the location of your main home will normally be a matter of fact. If you have more than one home, your main home will normally be the one where you spend more nights than any other'; what external (a) legal and (b) accountancy advice (i) has been obtained and (ii) is planned to be obtained on that interpretation; and if she will make a statement.

Barbara Keeley (Assistant Whip (funded by HM Treasury); Worsley, Labour)

The interpretation of the rules governing Members' allowances is a matter for the House authorities. The Standards and Privileges Committee considered the rules relating to the designation of main homes in its Fifteenth Report of 2007-08 (HC 1127). It is the responsibility of individual Members to ensure that the designation of their main home complies with the rules of the House.

The Office of the Leader of the House has taken no external legal or accountancy advice on this subject and has no plans to do so.