If you read Italian newspapers, you’ll have seen lists of the wealthiest parliamentarians, based on their tax records for 2007.

I wondered where this information was coming from, so I checked on the Senate web site.

Apparently, disclosure like this has been required since 1982 — legge del 5 luglio 1982, n. 441, if you’re interested. All very good.

Is it consultable online? Is it hell. You have to go to the Senate offices between 10am and 7pm and show that you’re registered to vote.

Update: Oh, and you can’t take photocopies, or digital photography. No news yet on whether biros for taking notes will be allowed, or whether there’s a pencils-only policy