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 ú68 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.