Gainsborough Constituency's Edward Leigh MP has responded to criticism and defended his proper use of taxpayers money for Italian lessons.

Mr. Leigh is one of nine Members of Parliament who appeared in a Freedom of Information request who were named as having recieved foreign language lessons last year.

Mr. Leigh satisfactorily explained why he took the classes:

"I started taking Italian lessons when the Government was suggesting I be made Ambassador to the Vatican. It was a role which I eventually turned down because I wanted to continue representing our part of Lincolnshire in Parliament.

"Currently, I am chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See [the Vatican] and involved in the British-Italian parliamentary group as well.

"I think I'm the only Member of Parliament to have given a speech in the Palace of Westminster in Italian. It happened when we had the privilege of welcoming a deputation of Italian MPs and they were very touched.

"I'm also in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Every country in the Council of Europe makes an effort to speak English, so why shouldn't we try and speak their languages as well?

"That said, having obtained a working knowledge of Italian, I am no longer taking lessons through the Foreign Office."

A House of Commons spokeswoman said the House approved funding to enable members of Parliament to 'learn a foreign language or develop existing skills in accordance with their parliamentary duties' in July 2001.

Provision is arranged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.