THE spending habits of MPs in west and north Wiltshire were put in the spotlight as their expenses were published for the first time.

Shadow Health minister Dr Andrew Murrison, who represents the Westbury constituency, was among the lowest claimants in the south west with a £107,733 expense bill, while north Wiltshire MP James Gray's bill was one of the highest.

Dr Murrison said some parts of MPs' expenses need to be changed.

He said: "The reason my expenses were quite low is that I take the train to London.

"I think 57 pence a mile for travel expenses is a bit excessive and is something that needs to be looked at."

Mr Gray claimed £130,464 and was the sixth most expensive minister in the southwest.

He agreed that expenses should be published, saying that openness was always the best policy.

"I wonder what constituents would say if when they wrote a letter I didn't reply for three months because I couldn't afford it on my expense account," he said.

"Or if I said I can't debate the issue of Black Watch troops in Iraq because I couldn't afford the train fare to get to Parliament.

"I'm sure that a lot of people would be very upset and therefore the expenses are a vital part of the job."

Mr Gray said every penny had been spent on doing his job.

He said: "If my opponent in the next general election criticised my expenses I would ask them what part they would cut out to make them lower?"

Both MPs said the salaries and expenses were important in upholding democracy.

Mr Gray said: "If we had a system like in the past, only the rich could afford to stand and that is not good for democracy."

MPs across the country claimed an average of more than £118,000.

Labour's Claire Curtis-Thomas who claimed £168,889 was shamed as the costliest MP in the country while Dan Norris, Labour MP for Wansdyke was the highest in the south west with expenses of £140,811.

Dr Andrew Murrison

Shadow Health minister

Westbury

Conservative

Total expenses: £107, 733

Staff: £62,241

Travel: £3,881

Stationery: £559

South west rank: 33/35

Dr Murrison said: "I don't object to it being published it's probably just one of the things of modern life.

"People are more inquisitive today.

"Speaking personally I took a pay cut to do this job and I work harder than I ever have."

James Gray

Shadow minister for the Department for Rural Affairs

North Wiltshire

Conservative

Total expenses: £130,464

Staff: £71,773

Travel: £10,961

Stationery: £1,369

South west rank: 6/35

Mr Gray said: "As long as I'm clear in my head that I haven't ever even nicked a roll of Sellotape I'm not that bothered about it.

"I don't think it can be made into a party political issue."