§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) of 15 June,Official Report, column 359, if he will list the total amount transferred to the Duchy of Lancaster benevolent fund in each year since 1981–82; and what proportion transferred in each year resulted from the value of intestate estates.
§ Mr. WaldegraveAmounts transferred to the Duchy of Lancaster benevolent fund in each year since 1981–82 were:
£ 1981–82 NIL 1982–83 150,000 1983–84 150,000 1984–85 150,000 1985–86 200,000 1986–87 250,000 1987–88 400,000 1988–89 494,701 1989–90 335,981 1990–91 531,715 Amounts paid to the duchy of Lancaster by the duchy solicitor, which are represented by devolutions in the duchy's accounts, include accrued interest and unclaimed assets of dissolved companies. The greatest single element is represented by intestate estates.
From these sums deductions are made to cover the duchy's palatinate and special costs. The balance is then paid over to the benevolent fund. It is not possible to calculate the proportion attributable to intestate estates which is transferred to the fund.