MEMBERS of Parliament in north Hampshire have defended spending hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money on expenses and allowances.

New figures published by the House of Commons authorities reveal MPs Maria Miller, Sir George Young and James Arbuthnot together spent £427,963 on expenses and allowances last year.

The cash was used to pay for the cost of running an office, a second home, postage, travel and stationery bills.

All the MPs spent at least £23,000 last year on running a second home. The limit for this Additional Costs Allowance is £23,083.

The figures show that Basingstoke MP Maria Miller was the costliest of the three, claiming a total of £152,888 in 2007/8, which was above the national average of £144,176.

The Conservative, who lives in Old Basing and is shadow minister for children, schools and families, said: “I think referring to the money as expenses is incorrect.

Eighty-five per cent of the money was used to run the Basingstoke parliamentary office which has helped and supported thousands of local residents since I was elected.

“We all have to assess how we can best serve our community, and it’s necessary for me to have a second home in London for things such as late night votes in the Commons.

“I’ve not been fitting my home with five dishwashers. I’m a woman who lives within my means.

“The present system of parliamentary allowances is stuck in a bygone era and it should be axed. MPs’ pay should be determined by an independent review body and pegged to a comparable state sector pay grade.”

The figures have been published as the Commons authorities prepare a million receipts filed by MPs for publication before the summer recess, after a long-running Freedom of Information battle.

Conservative MP for North East Hampshire, James Arbuthnot, lives in London and spent £146,192 on expenses – including £23,083 on his second home in Stratfield Mortimer.

He is chairman of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee.

He said: “The allowance has been independently suggested as an appropriate amount so I think it’s fair.

“I feel spending the maximum allowed is justified. The cost of having two houses is significant.

“It’s not possible when there are late votes in the Commons to get a train back so another home is necessary.”

Sir George Young, a Conservative, lives in Penton Mewsey and spent £128,883, including £23,083 on a second home in Regency Street, London. He is chairman of the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Sir George said: “My expenses have been available for 12 months on my website. My expenses are lower than the national average but all MPs have different responsibilities and spend different amounts.

“I’m very conscious that every pound I spend belongs to the taxpayer. When the full figures are published in the summer I will have nothing to worry about.”

Matthew Elliott, chief executive at the TaxPayers’ Alliance pressure group said: “Any MP within normal commuting distance should not have a second home. Many taxpayers have to travel in and out of London every day, and manage to do their job effectively.

“The fact that the bill has jumped yet again shows that plenty of MPs still think taxpayers’ money is there to be spent, rather than safeguarded.”

Gary Watts, former leader of the Labour group on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “I would like to know how Maria Miller can justify this amount when Basingstoke is only an hour’s train journey away from West-minster.

“It seems to me all MPs from all parties are living in a different world to the rest of us at the expense of us, the taxpayer."

What our MPs are claiming

Maria Miller

Second home – £23,000

Office running costs – £19,551

Staffing costs – £90,601

Stationery and postage – £3,656

Travel – £5,930

James Arbuthnot

Second home – £23,083

Office running costs – £17,170

Staffing costs – £84,145

Stationery and postage – £2,406

Travel – £4,534

Sir George Young

Second home – £23,083

Office running costs – £8,665

Staffing costs – £83,682

Stationery and postage – £4,618

Travel – £4,929