Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney signs up for money-saving change

TAXPAYERS could save £1m if Parliamentary petitions are abolished, an MP claimed last night.

Colne Valley’s Jason McCartney wants the House of Commons to scrap Early Day Motions (EDMs).

MPs use the motions to show their support for certain policies.

Administering the EDM system cost taxpayers £1m in 2009/10 – with much of the cost going on printing and re-printing motions as each MP signs.

Mr McCartney began boycotting the system last year when he realised the cost.

But yesterday he revealed he had signed an EDM – calling for the motions to be scrapped.

The Conservative said: “Just signed my first and only EDM of the year. EDM 432 to abolish EDMs and save the taxpayer £1m a year.”

Thirty-one MPs have signed the motion, which says EDMs: “very rarely have any influence on policy.”