Labour backbencher 'too busy' to shop around

Labour MP Bob Laxton who was 'too busy' to shop around

In October, 2005, Bob Laxton, the Labour MP for Derby North, spent £1,049 on the set and accessories, which he wrote on the claim form was a “Panasonic flat screen TV”. He said last night he had chosen the model because it would fit in his car easily. The claim was reduced to £750 by the Commons’ fees office.

The following March, he claimed £1,456 for the bed and £478 for bed linen and a food mixer, which was paid in full. The purchases were for his designated second home in Lambeth, south London, which he shares with his wife, Gail, who works for him as his office manager. Mr Laxton said: “When I bought this place in London I furnished it with stuff from home, hired a van and drove it down – three-piece suites and other bits. I think when I brought it down I knackered the other bed, or the mattress... that was kaput.

“I got a [new] bed. I didn’t really particularly have the time to run around and get deals on a TV or beds. I bought the TV across the road from my office in the centre of Derby and just chucked it in the back of my car. I thought 'that will be fine, that will do the job’. I’m too busy to chase around getting quotes.

“I think probably one of the reasons why I bought it was the fact that physically it was easier to lump in the back of my car. It’s not a flat screen as such, but it is not one of those great big, heavy things.

“I think the prices of TVs have absolutely crashed. You can get a digital TV better than the one I’ve got in London for probably half the price.”

He said he may have to soon replace the Panasonic because it was not digital, although suggested he would be able to buy a cheaper one.

“It’s probably at some stage going to be changed when digital switchover happens,” he said.

He refused to say how much his wife was paid for managing his Derby and London offices, but said that she earned less than he did.