HC Deb 13 July 1992 vol 211 cc801-2
11. Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many of the items listed by Queen Victoria as state property remain in public ownership; and where are the others.

Mr. Mellor

I understand that there are no grounds for believing that any of the items listed have left the royal collection.

Mr. Cohen

I am pleased that the Minister acknowledges that there is a list, as put forward by Suzy Menkes, the eminent writer on the royal family. Will he assure the House that the jewels are the property of the state? Is it not about time that we had a new inventory? If not, what is to stop royalty—after all, they have a reputation for rapacity—making off with, for example, the Crown jewels?

Mr. Mellor

Or offering them to the hon. Gentleman for evening wear. I am sorry to disappoint him, but there is no reason to think that the jewels are state property—

Mr. Cohen

Yes, they are.

Mr. Mellor

Absolutely not.

Mr. Cohen

They are.

Mr. Mellor

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman should be answering the question, not asking it. The electorate will have a view on that. There is no reason to think that the jewels are state property; they are royal property. The hon. Gentleman has made a mistake.