HC Deb 19 January 1993 vol 217 cc139-40W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what income Her Majesty the Queen receives in right of her Duchy of Lancaster; whether it is liable to income tax; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

Payments are made to the Keeper of the Privy Purse from revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster for Her Majesty's use. The sovereign is entitled to these revenues in right of her Duchy of Lancaster.

Payments to the privy purse are detailed in the Duchy accounts which are placed in the Library of the House. In time throughout April to August. A variable closing time, perhaps linked to the last horserace, would have created enforcement difficulties.

The Government are committed to removing unnecessary regulations on business and extending consumer choice where possible. Evening opening represents a further important measure of deregulation and will give bookmakers greater freedom to adjust their opening hours to suit the needs of their customers.

The opening hours of licensed betting offices are prescribed by regulation, subject to the negative resolution procedure. I have today laid an order before parliament which will permit evening opening with effect from 1 April 1993. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will lay a similar order to permit the same evening opening hours in Scotland.