Remember Lord Watson ? The disgraced former Glasgow Cathcart MSP and Labour culture minister who set fire to a hotel room and served a prison sentence for arson .
According to the Sunday Herald , he has claimed almost £32,000 in House of Lords' expenses since his release - £11,918 for "overnight subsistence" - shorthand in the Lords for hotel bills , £7014 in office costs , £7394 in "day subsistence", an allowance peers can claim for showing face in the chamber , £5606 in travel costs .
And his contribution to British democracy to justify such rich pickings ?
A half an hour's worth of speeches over the 10-month period - A short contribution on the future of BBC Scotland. This was followed by a 12-minute speech on renewable energy, a seven-minute contribution on International Women's Day and nine minutes on child poverty. His House of Lords' activity works out at around £8000 per speech.
Watson does not sit on any parliamentary committees, and no record exists of him tabling any written questions .
Not too bad for an ex-felon .
The Glasgow & Edinburgh Branches Blog. Towards a better understanding of the world, in order to change it.
Showing posts with label Lord Watson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord Watson. Show all posts
Sunday, June 24, 2007
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