I AM SURE some of my constituents are already looking forward to December. Not just to Christmas but to the promised publication of MP s’ personal expenses. How much have I claimed on the so-called John Lewis list for household items?

I think I had better come clean now rather than risk anyone suffering high suspense until December and then being rudely disappointed.

The answer is not a penny. In fact I had never even heard of the John Lewis list until I read last week’s tabloids.

It had never occurred to me that I could claim the cost of household equipment from the taxpayer via the House of Commons Fees Office. And I like to think I would not have been tempted to claim for such things if I had known. Of course, like all non-London MPs I have claimed current costs - mortgage, council tax, utilities etc - related to the need to have two homes.

I am delighted that these expenses are now being published. Of course, the public have a right to know how their money is being spent.

But the present situation is doubly regrettable. Firstly, the absurdly unjust impression has been created that all MPs are corrupt or dishonest. Secondly, the outcry has led the Fees Office to hire even more accountants to check claims for just a few pounds, thereby further increasing the cost of the whole system.

The solution is plain to me. The average “living away from home” allowance to MPs should be paid as an enhancement of salary. MPs would be able to claim itemised deductions from their taxable income where they could persuade the Inland Revenue that these expenses were necessarily and exclusively incurred for the performance of their duties.

This would be rough justice. There would be some winners and some losers (I have no idea into which category I would fall).

But here would be no possibility of overcharging, claiming for luxurious or frivolous items or any other hint of scandal. And the bureaucracy and cost to the taxpayer would be greatly reduced.