PENSIONS LIMIT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 104, 4 May 1937, Page 12

PENSIONS LIMIT

MORE THAN DOUBLED

ONLY ADDITIONAL CHARGE

(Received May 4, 2.30 p.m.)

LONDON, May 3.

No provision has been ,made in the Civil List for Princess Elizabeth's marriage as the Committee considers that it is a matter for a future Parliament.

Provision for other members of th« Eoyal Family totals £194,000. Ths limit of new grants from Civil List pensions has been raised from £1200 to £2500 a year. This is the only additional charge on the Consolidated Fund except those dependent upon contingencies. For instance, there is provision for £70,000 a year for the Queen if she survives the King, and £10,000 a year for any son of the King on reaching the age of 21, to be increased to £25,000 if he marries. There will be £60,000 allocated to the younger daughters who reach the age of 21. Queen Mary's pension of £70,000 will be maintained. No provision is made for the Duke of Windsor. ..-.■■ OPPOSITION AMENDMENT. The report discloses that the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. C. R. Attlee), during the discussions, moved an amendment suggesting greater simplicity in the Court's State and ceremonial functions, with a view to bringing it in accord with modern conceptions. The amendment contended that an expensive style of living tended to surround the Monarch and persons chosen from a single class, thus incurring dangerous political risks and obscuring public opinion. It was urged that by relieving the King of tedious and irksome ceremonial tasks would strengthen the ties between the King and the people enabling,'as far as possible, the bearers of the burden of kingship to enjoy the freedom belonging to people of private station.

Only Mr. Attlee, Mr. F. W. Peth-wick-Lawrence (Labour), and Mr. F. B. Simpson (Labour) supported the amendment, which was defeated by 12 votes to 3.

Mr. Winston Churchill (Conservative) moved that "In view of the people's liberty and the Empire's integrity being deeply rooted in the constitutional monarchy, which is a bulwark against dictatorship, we do not desire changes in the Monarch's style of establishment," which was adopted by 12 votes to 3.