REDACTION, namely the blacking out of MPs’ expenses, must be a new word to most of the population.

Will this word be used in future to describe the situation when there is a power cut (so much for transparency)?

As a comparison, government authorities demand by law, where appropriate, that many people, including pensioners, offer up to a council worker, who is a complete stranger, details of original bank statements for three months, any further investments, pensions or incomes which are photocopied and placed on file. Of course, this ensures the public are transparent.

Finally, many people may well blame the Speaker for all the overspending. After all, it is he who keeps telling MPs: “Order, order, order...”

Don Foster, Ferryhill, Co Durham.