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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Alan Williams (Labour), on Tuesday, 8 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 17 members in total.

ACCOMMODATION AT KENSINGTON PALACE

That this House notes that members of the Royal Family who perform duties in support of the Monarch receive accommodation in the Occupied Royal Palaces free of rent; notes that Prince Michael of Kent provides no such service; observes that parliamentary replies to the Right honourable Member for Swansea West say he enjoys rent-free accommodation in Kensington Palace consisting of seven bedrooms and nine reception rooms; also notes that from 1979 to 1996 he made no financial contribution to property maintenance costs, but that since 1994 he has made a contribution to these costs which, adjusted for inflation, today stands merely at ??68 per week; reflects that this may cause deep concern to the taxpayers who pay for these palaces when they think of the burden their own rents or mortgages impose on their families; regards the apparent extravagance of indulging this non-working member of the Royal Family cannot be justified; and calls on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to consider whether grant-in-aid is appropriate if it is to be so used.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

ACCOMMODATION AT KENSINGTON PALACE (644A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Gerald Howarth (primary, Conservative) and tabled on Wednesday, 9 May 2001. It has been signed by 2 members in total.
leave out from 'House' to end and add 'notes the large amount of work that HRH Prince Michael of Kent undertakes as the Royal Patron of charities and as a member of the Royal Family, which includes between June 1999 and January 2001, 119 different events for charities and organisations of which he is Royal Patron, 105 further engagements in his capacity as a member of the Royal Family, 25 of which were directly for charities with which Prince Michael has no official connection and 28 visits to countries to undertake public duties; notes that 57 per cent. of Prince Michael's working days are taken up with engagements undertaken as Royal Patron or member of the Royal Family, though this does not include many of the engagements that Prince Michael undertakes whilst abroad, and is separate to any of his usual commercial commitments; observes that these duties are not termed 'official duties' as Prince Michael recieves no money from the Civil List for them and that the difference between his duties and the 'official duties' undertaken by other members of the Royal Family is that Prince Michael performs these engagements in his own time and free of charge; recognises and applauds the work which His Royal Highness undertakes for public good; and believes that the provision of accomadation at Kensington Palace is but a modest compensation for the outstanding work done by His Royal Highness.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
644 
644A1 
Session
2000-01
Subjects
Rents Royal family Official residences Michael of Kent, Prince
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk