MANAMA: MPs squabbling over foreign travel allowances of BD300 a day brought parliament to an abrupt halt yesterday.

Some walked out during angry exchanges in which MPs accused each other of grabbing multiple trips abroad, while others got none.

One MP has racked up 18 trips, while others have travelled four or five times in a single year, it was claimed.

MPs and Shura Council members receive BD300 a day in overseas travel allowances for official trips, on top of their fares and hotel bills being paid for them - either by parliament or the foreign hosts.

Parliament legislative and legal affairs committee chairman Khalil Al Marzooq said after the session that the issue was not about money, but representation.

"There is a conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, this month to discuss new legislation on the environment and it is illogical to send members from my committee rather than those of the public utilities and environment affairs committee," he said.

"It is saddening that some MPs have thought about it money-wise, but those who have voiced objections that they have never travelled since joining parliament have a point."

Financial and economic affairs committee chairman Isa Abu Al Fateh urged MPs to stop squabbling in open session, which he said was being broadcast live on radio and watched by the Press in the gallery.