Duchy of Cornwall (Accounts)

HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 c266W

Mr. Ward

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the 1978 accounts of the Duchy of Cornwall will be presented.

Mr. Denzil Davies

The Duchy of Lancaster and Cornwall (Accounts) Act 1838 requires the accounts to be presented to both Houses of Parliament within one calendar month after the first meeting of Parliament subsequent to the first day of January in every year. The Duchy of Cornwall's financial year ends on 31 December and it is impracticable for the accounts to be prepared, audited, and approved by the Council of the Duchy in time for them to be presented within the timetable prescribed in the Act.

The Duchy authorities have undertaken to ensure that the accounts will be completed in future in sufficient time for them to be presented by 25 March in each year.