Charles to visit tsunami zone

Prince Charles is poised to announce a visit to the devastated tsunami zone. The Prince is expected to tour the region within weeks as aides fight a rearguard action over MPs' accusations of "fiddling" his accounts.

One MP told the public accounts committee last night that the £11.9 million the Duchy of Cornwall made in 2003-4 was like " winning the Lottery every year".

The Prince is expected to visit the area hit by the Boxing Day tsunami - possibly touring Sri Lanka - prior to his official spring tour to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

It comes as Whitehall spending watchdog Sir John Bourn asked to see the Duchy accounts so he can prepare a report to Parliament. It would be the first time in 700 years that royal finances have undergone such scrutiny.

Duchy secretary Bertie Ross, who faced tough questioning from MPs, refused the request on the grounds the Prince's income is private. Labour MP Gerry Steinberg accused the Duchy of "creative accounting". He claimed capital which the Prince cannot access had been treated as revenue.

Mr Ross and head of finance Keith Willis denied Mr Steinberg's allegations of "jiggery-pokery" and "a bit of fiddling" over a sum of ?1.2 million.

During the grilling Sir John, head of the National Audit Office, was asked by Labour MP Sion Simon whether he would like to scrutinise Duchy finances.

He replied: "I would like to have a look at the books but that doesn't take away the value of what Mr Ross says he provides to the Treasury. If I looked at the books I would be able to report to Parliament."

Charles's income from landed estate rose by 20 per cent last year. Over the last decade he has, in effect, enjoyed a 300 per cent pay rise. Labour MP Alan Williams said Charles "wins the National Lottery every year".