HC Deb 03 December 2001 vol 376 cc46-7W
Andrew Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 13 November 2001,Official Report, column 634W, on royal palaces, which persons residing in royal palaces have council tax charged against that accommodation they occupy; and if this tax is paid by (a) the royal household and (b) the occupant. [18375]

Mr. Caborn

Council tax is paid by all of the 244 residents residing in royal palaces listed in my hon. Friend's answer of 13 November 2001,Official Report, column 634W. The grant in aid for property services is only responsible for council tax on vacant properties.

Andrew Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 13 November 2001,Official Report, column 634W, on royal palaces, which members of the royal family occupy accommodation in the royal palaces other than Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. [18376]

Mr. Caborn

The other members of the royal family who occupy self-contained residential accommodation in the royal palaces are:

  • The Prince of Wales
  • The Princess Royal
  • The Princess Margaret
  • The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
  • The Duke and Duchess of Kent Princess Alexandra
  • Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Andrew Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 13 November 2001,Official Report, column 634W, on royal palaces, which persons residing in royal palaces occupy accommodation that is separate hereditaments for council tax purposes. [18377]

Mr. Caborn

The 244 residents with self-contained residential accommodation in royal palaces are liable to pay separate council tax.

Andrew Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 13 November 2001,Official Report, column 634W, on royal palaces, if she will list the commercial occupants of the royal palaces. [18379]

Mr. Caborn

The commercial lettings outside the security cordon are mainly arranged by estate agents. These properties are marketed in the same way as other properties included in the letting portfolios of these agents. It would be inappropriate to list the individuals concerned. None of them has any connection with the Royal Household or the Royal Family.