§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Prime Minister what plans the Government have for funding the procurement of communication and information services for the Royal Household. [53933]
§ The Prime MinisterThe cost of communication and information services in connection with official Royal functions and engagements which are currently the responsibility of the Central Office of Information will be met from funds provided to the Royal Household by way of grant-in-aid from the Central Office of Information Vote.
This change, which involves no increase in public expenditure, will bring the treatment of these costs into line with that of property services and travel. With this change, the Royal Household will assume financial control to match operational responsibility, with the continuing aim of achieving best value for money from this public money. Parliamentary accountability will follow the pattern of the existing grants-in-aid payable to the Royal Household, and there will be an annual report to Parliament.