Draft Sovereign Grant Act 2011 (Change of Percentage) Order 2017 Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Simon Kirby Portrait Simon Kirby
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The hon. Gentleman raises an interesting point. That is exactly what we are deciding today. There will be 115,000 more visitors each year, because there will be increased access. Some 30,000 more children will be able to visit the palace—only 1,500 can currently do so. There will be an additional 110 events every year. This is a long-term solution. The hon. Member for Bootle was right to say that previous Governments of all colours should perhaps have considered this more carefully, but we are where we are and this is a sensible way forward.

George Kerevan Portrait George Kerevan (East Lothian) (SNP)
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Is it the Minister’s intention, once the money has been used to refurbish the palace, to come back and change the Act and reduce the 25%?

Simon Kirby Portrait Simon Kirby
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It is. That is clear and I am happy to restate it.

Question put.