DECLARING his perks of the job proved no "test" for Bury South MP Ivan Lewis.

The Labour man, elected in May, enjoyed a free trip to one of the Ashes Cricket matches in the summer.

His Bury North colleague, David Chaytor, has nothing to declare in the newly published Commons Register of Members' Interests.

But Mr Lewis states that he was given two complimentary tickets and hospitality by Lancashire County Cricket Club for one day of the Old Trafford Test match against Australia in July.

Mr Lewis believes it is important to record any gifts of hospitality, however small.

"There was no real requirement for me to declare it: only gifts over a certain amount of money need to be registered," he said.

"But I still feel it's better that people know, and that everything is above board and transparent."

The MP has just declared a second interest that won't surprise his constituents - that he is still a local councillor for Sedgley ward in Prestwich.

"Again, that's something I don't have to do, but it's better to err on the side of caution."

Mr Lewis added: "I always said to people that I would concentrate fully on my activities as their MP, and I maintain that you cannot do that properly and have paid consultancies and business interests, too.

"Having been an MP for six months, it's disgraceful that if people have not been able to do just that, they have obviously not been doing their job right!"

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