A Kent MP has spoken of his shock at suggestions MPs could be awarded a lump sum of £23,000 as a way of avoid publicising their expenses.

Paul Clark, Gillingham MP, said: “I would find that absolutely amazing if it was true. That should not be the way to operate.”

According to national newspaper reports, the House of Commons members estimate committee, chaired by Speaker Michael Martin, is proposing that MPs should be able to claim the full £23,000 second-home allowance automatically as an annual block grant.

It comes just days after the High Court ordered the publication of every receipt submitted by MPs - despite Mr Martin’s previous attempts to keep the information secret using nearly £200,000 of taxpayers’ money.

Mr Clark, who spent £21,896 in his Additional Cost Allowance, between April 2006 and 2007, added: “I would be highly surprised that there would be a recommendation like this to come out. It’s certainly not one I would be supporting in that way without providing any evidence. It would be totally wrong and I would not be happy. It would be worse than the position now.

“I think as MPs we should justify and show where public money is spent. Providing receipts legitimately for second-home allowance is quite right.”

A spokesman for the House of Commons Members Estimate Committee said the report on the reform of Westminster’s system of allowances had not yet been completed and could not say what it would contain when presented to Parliament next month.

Dr Stephen Ladyman, Thanet MP, who was not prepared to comment about the report, however, said: “I understand that there are two recommendations, the one lump sum recommendation and the other is a daily allowance. My view is that whatever system is adopted it should be fair and transparent.”

Kent's other MPs were either not willing to respond or unreachable.