Listening to Harriet Harman squirming in front of the 'Expenses Enquiry' being chaired by Sir Christopher Kelly. The matter of second homes came up and Sir Christopher asked why the 'barrack' principle of housing shouldn't to be employed to house ministers during the 'working' week.
They tried that once with Dolphin House apartments in Pimlico, which if you take a look are more than adequate. But of course you can't make money on these so they weren't used.

As a Civil Servant I have to abide by strict rules about accommodation when staying in London, including having the booking made for me by a central administration. Why is it that Ministers are not constrained by the same process?