I refer to your report ‘Nationalist MPs not aware of Cabinet allowance’ (May 8). For the record, it had already been stated on November 1, 2010, in reply to a parliamentary question, that that ministers and parliamentary secretaries were having an allowance amounting to 20 per cent of their basic pay.

However, it was never made clear that this had changed, as previous allowances were not disclosed. I only realised it was part of a salary hike following recent reports by The Times, whereby comparisons could be made.