PARLIAMENT SPEAKER ANNOUNCES STRICTER SPENDING

ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - Croatian National Parliament speaker Zlatko Tomcic on Monday announced new, stricter regulations for spending budgetary funds allocated to the parliament. Since June we have been trying to find ways for a more rational functioning of the parliament, Tomcic told reporters after he was questioned about media reports on funds spent for accommodation of MPs in hotels, their travel expenses, etc. Tomcic asserted the economising was, unfortunately, going slowly, but expressed conviction the parliament would greet in the new year with new spending regulations. Asked whether there would be disciplinary actions carried out in his party (Croatian Peasants' Party), seen as some MPs have been stigmatised as extravagant, Tomcic said this was not a party issue, but an issue which should be regarded as a parliament issue. "However, if it is established that someone violated regulations, there will be disciplinary actions," Tomcic stressed. According to earlier information from the parliament, MPs spent 2.2 million kuna in the past ten months (US$246,000) for travel expenses and daily expenses only. (hina) lml