Worth Half A Million Quid Each??

New figures released by the Commons leader have revealed that MPs cost the tax payer half a million quid a year. That's EACH! EACH!
That is an increase of 30k in the last two years - despite the number of MPs falling from 659 to 646 at the 2005 election.
57% went on administration costs, the rest on MP salaries, office and staff allowances.
While all sensible people understand that for govenment to function properly, MPs need staff and offices, many question the huge subsidies in the Houses of Parliament. It is nice for staff and members that all the food and drink on sale is at 1980s prices, but I think if more voters knew how cheap things like pints of beer are in the bars in the Palace of Westminster, there would be more outrage over this half-a-million a year each.