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MP's £8,000 car expenses
MP Mike Penning is in the top ten of MPs for the size of his travel expenses claims.
Mr Penning pocketed nearly 8,000 for car mileage despite Hemel Hempstead being around 30 miles from Westminster.
Only six Members of Parliament claimed more than him for car mileage during 2005/6.
Janet Anderson, Labour MP for Rossendale & Darwen in Lancashire, topped all MPs by claiming 16,612.
MP travel expenses were revealed for the first time after a lengthy freedom of information tussle.
The figures show Mr Penning claimed 7,978 for car mileage and 218 for rail fares.
Mr Penning was unrepentant yesterday about the figure, which he said was made up by frequent trips between his family home in Essex, Hemel Hempstead and Westminster.
The MP, who drives either a Renault Clio or a Toyota Corolla, said: "I'm very active in the constituency and I go back and see my family.
"I think it's important people see me and my family sees me. I don't think it's right for MPs to disappear to Westminster."
David Gauke, MP for South West Herts, claimed 627 for his Ford Mondeo and 1,000 on rail travel.
"It's essentially the rail journey and the cost of my tickets to and from home in my constituency and Westminster," he said.
"I commute in every day."
Concerning the battle to get the figures released he said: "I don't think you can conceal it from the public but sometimes the press can present these figures in a way that is misleading."
Members of Parliament had a total annual travel bill of 5 million.
In terms of motoring they can claim 40p per mile for the first 10,000 miles each year and 25p thereafter.
Cycling can be reclaimed at a rate of 20p per mile.
Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker battled with House of Commons authorities for two years to get the expenses information released.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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