Peter Hain has called on politicians and the media to treat the forthcoming publication of details about MPs' expenses "responsibly".

The Commons authorities will release details of MPs' spending next Thursday, with the allowances set to be scrutinised in detail by interested parties.

But the leader of the house has asked his parliamentary colleagues not to use the information to score points off one another as they compare levels of expenditure.

The Cabinet minister pointed out during business questions that all expenses were legitimate and approved by independent assessors.

"As every member will be aware these allowances are crucial in enabling MPs to undertake their duties to deal with the wide range of issues brought to them by constituents and to represent their constituents' interests in parliament," Hain said on Thursday.

"To avoid any possible misinterpretation I want to emphasise very strongly the point that all such expenses are accounted for and in accordance with the strict rules of the house.

"Both the director of finance and administration and the commissioner for standards have a role in ensuring that these rules are followed.

"Each honourable member of whatever party is affected equally and I trust that no member, not even a prospective parliamentary candidate, will deal with the disclosure of this information in an irresponsible manner."

However concern was expressed that journalists may not be so responsible in writing reports based on the details.