After writing as to the progress of the House of Lords investigation into Lord Rennard the Sunlight Centre for Open Politics has today received a repsonse from the Clerk of the Parliaments (Michael Pownall).

We have been told that Lord Rennard is under investigation by the House of Lords authorities and we will be made aware of the outcome in due course.

In our previous correspondence to the House of Lords we asked fro clarification as to what they would classify as a main home as it seemed unclear in connection with the reimbursment scheme.  The clerk has told us that the Senior Salaries Review Body will be conducting a review  of the options  for financial support for members of the House of Lords.

The Sunlight Centre supports this particular review and supports the particular recommendations on:

• clarity and transparency
• accountability and public acceptability
• value for money
• differing attendance patterns of members
• the geographical spread of the membership of the House of Lords

The SSRB is due to report in October.

However there still needs to be some clarification for future claims.  This is still a Freedom of Information Issue regarding Lord Rennard and the difference between his first and second home.  There should be a clear and simple answer to question ‘what is a main residence?’ for claims in any year without the need for a full scale review.

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