HC Deb 06 July 1806 vol 7 cc923-5

On the motion of lord H. Petty, the house then resolved itself into a committee of Supply. His majesty's message was then read, requesting that the house would transfer the sums paid to the younger branches of his family, from the aggregate to the consolidated fund; and would be pleased to enable him to make such farther increase to their incomes, as circumstances might render proper.

Lord H. Petty

then said, that the first part of his majesty's message sufficiently explained its object, and did not require much comment. A provision had been made for his royal highness the duke of Gloucester and the princess Sophia, out of what was called the aggregate fund, which was since transferred to the consolidated fund. This was discovered on the death of the late duke of Gloucester, when it was proposed to continue his income to the present duke; but as the aggregate fund did now exist, it became necessary to transfer it, by the interference of parliament, over to the consolidated fund. On this subject, he thought no doubt or hesitation could possibly exist, as it was only meant that that should be made good which parliament had formerly thought fit to grant. But the message did not stop here, and he flattered himself that, on due consideration, the house would feel as little hesitation respecting that part of it which called upon them to make such adequate provision for certain branches of the royal family, as was called for by the increased expences of the times. It was not proposed to include the duke of York in this additional grant. Such provision had already been made for him by parliament as he conceived sufficient, and he had generously declined coming forward with any claim on the liberality of the public. The provision for the younger sons of the king was fixed at 12,000l. per annum in 1778. This was judged at that time to be a proper sum, and adequate to the due support of their rank. But he would leave it to the house to determine, when they looked at the increased expence attending every article of consumption, when they considered that most of them were doubled since that period, and some of them more than doubled, whether that sum could be regarded as any way adequate. From the advanced ages also of the illustrious personages, more appearance and greater expenditure were called for, than in the younger part of their lives, when this sum was originally fixed. If it were necessary to look to precedent in support of what he should propose, it might be sufficient to observe that the late duke of Gloucester had an income from the public of 24,000l. a year, which he enjoyed to the last period of his life. This was considerably more than it was now proposed to bestow; though he was far from resting on precedent only, since only such an amount of income was wished for, as to enable the illustrious persons to keep up that state and situation in life, which it was incumbent on them to support. In this view it was proposed that their incomes, standing at present at 12,000l. should be increased in future to 18,000l. a year. It was also proposed to provide for the expences of the princes Charlotte of Wales, by a grant of 7000l. a year, instead of 6000l. which she had before. The provision for the princesses stood on the same footing. It was necessary, also to acquaint the house, that the provision for the princesses stood on the same footing as that for the duke Gloucester, and the princess Sophia, and must be transferred from the aggregate fund, now merely nominal, and fixed on the consolidated fund. The allowance to the princesses was to be increased from 4000l. to 5000l.; and it was proposed to grant 4000l. a year to the duchess dowager of Gloucester, for whom no provision had as yet been made, which was the same establishment as had been settled on the late duchess of Cumberland. He concluded with moving, "That his majesty be enabled to grant, out of the Consolidated Fund of Great Britain, a yearly sum, not exceeding 6000l. to each of their royal highnesses the dukes of Clarence, Kent, Cumberland, Sussex, and Cambridge."

Mr. Rose

made some observations on the nature of the aggregate fund, and expressed his hope, that the resolution would pass with unanimity. He mentioned, that the late duke of Cumberland had also 24,000l. per annum, which was then equal to 30,000l. or 40,000l. a year at present. The income of every gentleman of landed property had increased greatly of late Years, while his expences had also increased; and hence the louse must be convinced how reasonable the present proposition was.—The resolution was then agreed to.

Lord H. Petty

then moved, that there be granted out of the consolidated fund, sum not exceeding 7000l. per annum to the princess Charlotte of Wales, during his majesty's life; and that of the prince of Wales; also a sum not exceeding 4000l. a year to the duchess dowager of Gloucester. With regard to his highness the duke of Gloucester, he said, that it had also been thought fit to propose to raise his income in proportion to that of the royal dukes, and he therefore moved, that a sum not exceeding 14,000l. a year be granted to the duke of Gloucester, in lieu of 8000l. which he at present enjoyed; and lastly, that the grant to the princess Sophia of Gloucester, formerly charged on the aggregate fund, be transferred to the consolidated fund.—The several resolutions were unanimously agreed to.