There’s sod’s law

Lord Hanningfield, an independent peer, has claimed that members of the House of Lords attend the House for a few minutes only but are able to claim a full day’s attendance allowance.

I do not know the current situation in the European Parliament but in the early days MEPs operated a similar procedure which was known as the “SOSO” system, ie: Sign On then Sod Off.

I may say that for eight years I was a member of the British delegation to the economic and social committee of the EEC (as the EU then was) and for four years was a vice-president of its regional development section.

I can truly say that while I signed on I did not sod off unless all the important business had been completed and attending the final minutes would probably result in me missing my plane home.

Graham H Speirs

Dirleton Avenue

North Berwick