To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what terms of reference have been set for the audit of previously submitted and paid expenses claims by hon. Members; what instructions have been given to those performing the audit; when he expects the audit to be completed; in what form the results of the audit will be published; and whether any external accountancy expertise has been recruited to assist in the audit. (278995)

Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC has been engaged to carry out the review of four years’ claims for Additional Costs Allowance for all Members who have claimed the allowance. His terms of reference are currently under consideration. He will begin work shortly and carry out his review as quickly as possible. He will draw on external professional accountancy expertise as well as help from other sources. His findings will be published in a report in due course.