7. LETTER
TO
HEAD
OF
VALIDATION
TEAM,
FEES
OFFICE,
HOUSE
OF
COMMONS
FROM
RT
HON
JACQUI
SMITH
MP, 19 JUNE
2007
My husband, Richard, had a very useful conversation
with [an official] in your office last week about arrangements
for my ACA claims. I wanted to write to confirm my arrangements.
When I first became a Minister in 1999 it was deemed
that Ministers had their main home in London as a matter of course.
I, therefore, claimed my London home as my main residence and
have continued to. In recent years that "rule" has been
relaxed with Ministers now able to say that their main home is
not in London.
My ministerial duties continue to extend my residence
time in London but I was concerned that I hadn't clarified my
"main residence" designation formally. In particular,
I asked for advice about whether the home where my family live
should automatically be my main home. The advice of your office
was that this wasn't relevant. I would welcome a confirmation
of this.
Certainly, whilst I remain a Minister (with the extra
London and non-constituency-based duties this entails) it seems
reasonable to continue to deem my "main home" as being
in London. Should my job change I will take further advice as
the amount of time I spend based in London may reduce. Please
could you confirm that this fulfils the conditions of the ACA.
Thank you for your help.
19 June 2007
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