§ Mr. BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provisions exist for the private hire of Apsley House; and which events have been held there in the last 10 years. [20870]
§ Dr. HowellsUnder the Wellington Museum Act 1947 all private hire events are subject to the consent of the Duke of Wellington.
There have been 84 private hire events at the museum since 1 January 1991.
§ Mr. BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it her policy to exclude members of the Wellesley family from sitting on the proposed private trust for Apsley House. [20869]
§ Dr. HowellsThe proposed Apsley House Trust will be independent of Government. However the scope of its proposed membership has been discussed with Ministers504W who have indicated that there should not be more than one member of the Wellesley family out of a current total of five trustees on the Trust. The Duke and his family have a right to occupy the private apartments at Apsley House and the consent of the Duke of Wellington is required for the holding of certain events in the public apartments. In these circumstances, we believe that, if the Trust were to be successful in a bid to carry out various functions of the Secretary of State in relation to Apsley House, a formal link with the family would make good operational sense.
§ Mr. BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what annual financial contribution is made by the Wellesley family towards the upkeep of Apsley House. [20871]
§ Dr. HowellsUnder the terms of the Wellington Museum Act 1947, the Secretary of State has a duty to maintain the forecourt of Apsley House, the fabric of its exterior and the parts of the building used as a museum. The Duke of Wellington is not required to make any contribution in respect of the duties of the Secretary of State, but he does have a duty to keep the portions of Apsley House which he is entitled to occupy in good repair and to maintain the garden of the House. In addition the Wellesley family are responsible for making their own arrangements for the supply of utilities to their apartments.
§ Mr. BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what accommodation is provided for the Wellesley family in Apsley House; and what rent is paid. [20868]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Duke of Wellington and his family have the right of occupation, under the Wellington Museum Act 1947, to live at Apsley House in private apartments which comprise just over half the house and to occupy and maintain the garden. These rights of occupation are rent free (subject to the duties of repair and maintenance) in perpetuity.