§
Resolution reported;
That the annual sum of £15,000 be granted to Her Majesty, out of the Consolidated Fund of Great Britain and Ireland, the said Annuity to be settled on His Royal Highness Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert, for his life, in such manner as Her Majesty shall think proper, and to commence from the date of the coming of age of His Royal Highness.
§ MR. HADFIELDasked whether the annuity was to be absolute, or, as in the case of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, inalienable. He was informed that without some provision in the Act it would be in the power of Prince Arthur to encumber the grant—that was to say, to cripple his power of serving the State. The country was entitled to the full benefit of any services the Prince could give.
MR. GLADSTONESo far as I am able to form an opinion, I very much concur with my hon. Friend in the view he takes of the wise and prudent form of framing a provision of this kind. The annuity was not given in the nature of absolute property like an estate, but it was given for the purpose of supporting a certain dignity of a Royal character; and, consequently, the permanence of the annuity ought, I think, to be assured. My hon. Friend has justly referred to the case of the Duke of Edinburgh, in which the 3rd clause of the Act provides—
That the annuity granted in pursuance of the Act shall, if Her Majesty thinks fit to direct, be a personal and inalienable provision,and we shall exactly follow the same form of drawing the Bill for the purpose of granting the annuity to Prince Arthur.
§ Resolution agreed to:—Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. DODSON, Mr. GLADSTONE, Mr. Secretary BRUCE, and Mr. CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.
§ Bill "to enable Her Majesty to settle an Annuity on His Royal Highness Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert," presented, and read the first time; to be read a second time upon Thursday, and to be printed. [Bill 280.]