WHEN The Northern Echo asked Frank Cook, the MP for Stockton North, if he would be complying with his party’s order to publish details of his expenses next week, he told this newspaper that he was “too busy”.

We are disappointed to find that Mr Cook is “too busy” to deal with a matter that has shaken public trust in our MPs and rocked Parliament to its foundations. What could be more important than restoring faith in our elected representatives?

Similarly, Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, says she has no plans to publish her expenses next week. She prefers to wait for the Commons authorities to publish the details of MPs’ claims – all 700,000 receipts – in June.

It seems incredible to us that, after days of depressing headlines, some MPs still appear to be out of touch with the unprecedented level of public outrage.

Thankfully, others have realised the urgency of the situation and vowed to put every receipt on their websites within days.

Like it or not, the question of “who claimed and for what” is foremost in the minds of constituents at the moment.

With every day that passes, and more examples of milking the system come to light, further damage is caused to our democracy.

Transparency may be painful, but it is the only way to lance this explosive boil – and the sooner the better.

According to latest figures, during 2007-08 Frank Cook claimed – quite properly – £83,261 for staff to assist him. If he is too busy, perhaps they could help?