The Faces Of Foulkes.

Two perspectives on Labour MSP and peer George Foulkes.

"He earns £52,000 a year in his 'day' job as a Member of the Scottish Parliament. But the demands of Holyrood haven't stopped George Foulkes claiming a further £54,527 in expenses over the past year as a member of the House of Lords."

And ... "Labour MSP George Foulkes was accused of wasting public money after his bill for asking Holyrood questions topped £90,000. The Lothians MSP has tabled 927 written questions since his election to Holyrood in May last year, at a cost to the taxpayer of £98.51 each. "

Now Mr Smith isn't Lord Foulkes number one fan, and has raised concerns previously about the ability of our George to fulfill his responsibilities as both a member of the House of Lords and Scottish Parliament, but it seems to Mr Smith that as long as he remains a Lord he is entitled to be remunerated for doing the job and as an MSP to ask questions in the Scottish Parliament. Indeed our George has a tendency to ask more insightful questions than many of his colleagues, even if it does cost an average of £100 a pop. What may be more questionable is how Lord Foulkes elected roles sit alongside his business interests, namely ...

"A political and parliamentary consultancy with Eversheds LLP. Payment of £3000 per calendar month (excluding VAT if applicable) for consultancy services for 36 days per annum (all fees are paid to Carrick Court Associates Ltd" (a company which he owns 100% of the shares in).

Great Expense.

From the Herald Diary, "ALAS, it seems all MPs are being tarred with the same brush these days. East Renfrewshire Labour MP and Europe Minister Jim Murphy was seen struggling to pull a laden green wheelie bin to his nearest recycling point in his constituency the other day. "Is that your expenses, Jim?", a voter cheerily called out."

Third World.

Mr Smith has already noted the revelations over the weekend about the fact that Labour MSP Lord George Foulkes claimed forty thousand pounds worth of parliamentary allowances for living in a property he already owned.

Coincidentally, in the House of Lords last Friday Lord Foulkes lamented increases in the costs of foodstuffs for those living in the Third World, "My Lords, will my noble friend welcome the concern expressed by Members opposite for the poor of this country, however recent and opportunistic it may be? Will he confirm that the real problem with rising prices of foodstuffs, particularly wheat, rice and milk, is in the third world, where there are extremely poor people who are devastated by what is happening? Will he confirm that our Government will continue to expand and develop our support for the World Food Programme, in contrast to the Tory Government, who halved development assistance?"

Bet the poor people of the Third World wish they could claim forty thousand pounds for living in their own home or more likely shanty. Lord Foulkes' concern is touching. Forty thousand pounds would buy a lot of rice.

For Foulkes' Sake ... Again.

So, "A SENIOR Labour peer has been criticised after he claimed nearly £45,000 in overnight expenses to stay in a property he inherited from his late mother. George Foulkes, who is also an MSP, billed the public to stay in a London flat registered as his company's address."

The taxpayer paying one of its elected representatives to stay in a property which .... they already own and which they were using for other commercial activities. Deal or no deal?