§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to what extent the crown jewels are royal property; and what is the extent of public ownership and interest in them.
§ Mr. SproatI am advised that the crown jewels kept in the tower of London are, like the historic royal palaces themselves, the property of the Queen in right of the Crown. They are, therefore, held in trust by the sovereign for successive generations. My Department, through the Historic Royal Palaces agency, is responsible for the security, conservation and presentation of the crown jewels in the tower of London.