It’s less than a fortnight until MPs return from their hols and already familiar faces are being spotted around SW1. But having publicised their own recommendations for books to read this summer, Mr S thought it only fair to look at what the MPs themselves have been perusing in the House of Commons library.
Some £208,000 worth of newspapers and periodicals subscriptions are currently funded each year to aide our rulers in their search for enlightened judgement. Some 57 different regional and national newspapers are available to honourable members, from the Belfast Telegraph to the Yorkshire Post. While the Fleet Street giants account for much of the sales, it is the Birmingham Post – yours for £2.70 – which cost the Commons the most last year at £2,660, the equivalent of roughly 985 editions.
Representation is of course fundamental to the Commons’ raison d’etre and judging by the reading materials available, that purpose is being kept alive and well.
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