HC Deb 23 June 2003 vol 407 cc545-6W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are in place to ensure that the taxpayer receives good value for money from the sum allocated to the grant-in-aid. [115796]

Estelle Morris

The amount of the grant-in-aid has reduced from £23.9 million to £15.4 million over the past 12 years, a reduction in real terms of 60 per cent. This indicates the Royal Household's overall aim of achieving best value for money.

As part of the Department's agreement with the Royal Household they are required to provide regular reports on grant-in-aid expenditure on the Royal Palaces; these include a 5-year plan and an annual plan. Quarterly update reports are issued by the Household to the Department commenting on expenditure against the annual plan. These are subject to review by the Department's officials and an independent auditor commissioned by the Department.

A11 major building contracts are let by competitive tender.