Suzy Davies AM: I know you will have received complaints re suggestions that members living in England should be permitted accommodation in the Bay plus travel expenses.

Could I ask that, whatever you decide, that there is consistency.

My home is in the Dyfi Valley, near Machynlleth.  However, as I represent South Wales West, I have found accommodation – at my own expense - in Swansea in my region. Despite bring a resident in Mid and West Wales and as a result of taking that accommodation in Swansea, I am not entitled to a flat in the Bay; I travel daily and use hotels in Cardiff when I need to.

I think I am right in saying that Mark Reckless has made a similar decision to find accommodation in the region that he represents, thereby ruling himself out from Bay accommodation.

In the case of Neil Hamilton, the only individual affected by the reference to England, he would still be entitled to a Bay property as is the case for all Mid & West AMs. However, if he lived in his region, it would affect the nature of his travel expenses.

Can you confirm that, if AMs choose not to move from their home (wherever that is) to their constituency/region, for whatever reason, then

(a)      As my home is not in South Wales West, I would be entitled to accommodation in the Bay plus travel expenses to my home and back every weekend?

(b)      That I would be entitled to travel expenses between my home and my region?

I suspect not. It was told in my first week that I had to designate my Swansea address as my home and travel could only be claimed from there on usual Assembly business.

If I’ve missed out on five years-worth of claiming travel from the Dyfi Valley to Cardiff on Monday mornings (or to Swansea on Sunday nights), then I'd like to know.

I think the reference to England in the email you circulated has disguised the real nature of the question, which is whether AMs should take steps, as soon as possible after election, to live in/near their constituencies/regions.

Thank you. Suzy Davies.