David Norris (Independent)

That would be a different matter but the Senator was talking about the criteria. When I said it is not just in the past ten years, I was greatly struck by the fact that we are now in the anniversary of the treaty, which is a significant historical event but if one examines the bills that came in from Harrods and Fortnum & Mason one can see that the delegates did not go to the cheapest shops. I do not think we would find too many of them without two pairs of strong shoes, warm overcoats or an extraordinary supply of high quality mints and alcoholic beverages of any kind. I read some of the bills that came in from the top shops in London to that delegation with considerable interest. They did not stint themselves, and they certainly would not have been covered by this list.

The list is interesting and is worthy of a certain amount of scrutiny because it is a bit motley. One of the criteria is two pairs of strong shoes. Can anybody honestly say that it is not appropriate that people should have two pairs of strong shoes? It would be shocking if people could object to that. Another is a warm waterproof overcoat. With the kind of climate we have that is essential. I have some reservation about buying new and not second-hand clothes. I do not see anything wrong with second-hand clothes. Many people are very glad that there are shops where one can get second-hand clothes.