@Tim and AC
Who says it's a school dorm? Is that the ONLY sort of accommodation you get in hotels nowadays???
And as for it being more expensive than flats, you forget that hotels have to be profitable and have to have enough space to contain the large summer tourist population and charge enough for this so that the mostly empty rooms at low season still produce the profit.
But how much of a stretch is it to size the hotels for the *fixed number* of MP's? You could be a little riskier and assume that 90% of the time no more than 60% of the MP's are *in* London and size your accommodation appropriately.
So getting on for 100% occupancy and no need to make a profit from it either.
Much more finanically efficient.
And all those MP homes are released (sold by the government to offset the current debt!) easing the housing congestion in London.
As for not wanting someone willing to live in squat for the privilege of working in Parliament, you're forgetting:
a) no need to have any qualifications for the job
b) power. Heck, if Two Jags can get off with his secretary, it really IS the ultimate aphrodisiac!
c) decent pay
d) fabulous pension
e) Gongs et al
f) for MP's in the cabinet, a good chance of either EuroMP or director position set up for you
g) if (f) fails, the Lords
and would you want someone as your MP whose only concern is their monetary compensation and ease?