Probe into cost of Camilla

Prince Charles faces a parliamentary grilling over the cost of Camilla Parker Bowles in the first public inquiry into his finances.

MPs will question two of Charles's top aides about his income from the Duchy of Cornwall.

It has emerged that he has received a 300per cent pay rise over the past decade, and a salary jump of £2 million last year, while his tenants' rents have increased.

MPs want to ensure that taxpayers are getting value for money and that Mrs Parker Bowles, who has no official role, is being funded solely by Charles personally from taxed income.

One senior Public Accounts Committee source said: "The Duchy is a very profitable organisation established with the main purpose of covering the cost of the heir apparent's public and private life.

"That, as far as I am aware, does not include his live-in partner. It is something worthy of scrutiny."

Insiders say the Camilla question will be part of a wide-ranging inquiry into the prince's business interests by the 16 crossparty MPs on the committee.

On Monday, two of Charles's top financial aides - Duchy of Cornwall secretary Bertie Ross and chief executive Paul Clarke - will be questioned.

Last summer, Charles took the unprecedented step of revealing his financial commitment to Mrs Parker Bowles in his first annual review. But it fell short of detailing the exact amount he spends on running her office and living expenses.

Charles pays out of his own pocket for two part-time secretaries, a gardener and a driver to help her. But it is known he also lets her share the services of 28 palace staff, including the press office, who now act for her too.

The prince is also believed to fund her bodyguards, grooming, travel and personal needs. The total cost has never been revealed, but it is estimated to be nearly £250,000 a year.

Charles's aides have been keen to avoid any criticism, insisting any private expenditure on Mrs Parker Bowles comes from "taxed income".

His private secretary, Sir Michael Peat, has stressed she is not being subsidised by the taxpayer. Speaking last year, Sir Michael said: "Mrs Parker Bowles doesn't want anyone to suggest she is benefiting from public money."

A key issue the MPs want to resolve is how much tax Charles, the 24th Duke of Cornwall, should pay.

His records suggest he paid £4.4 million in tax. But he only pays tax on the amount left after deducting millions in "business expenditure" which includes staff - from secretaries to valets - working at Clarence House, Highgrove and Birkhall.

The MPs are expected to scrutinise detailed records kept to determine the split between public and private spending, particularly as many of these staff act for Camilla too.

Clarence House insists Charles is required to run the Duchy on a commercial basis, and uses most of his after-tax income to support his charitable work. Analysis of Duchy accounts reveals that his income soared from £3million in 1993 to almost £12million last year, plus a further £4.1 million from public funds to cover official duties.

Another key area will be the £6.5 million cost to the taxpayer for the refurbishment of his London home and office Clarence House which he now shares with Mrs Parker Bowles. Funds for the refurbishment came from Duchy income and taxpayers. MPs are also expected to examine any Duchy contracts with a firm run by Michael Fawcett, Charles's former aide, who resigned after it was revealed gifts given to Charles were then sold by his staff. Mr Fawcett remains vital to Charles, organising events and overseeing renovation of his properties.

The Duchy, created in 1337, covers about 57,000 hectares. It is now worth £460million yet pays none of the normal business taxes.

Charles has the equivalent of 111 full-time staff, earning £3.2 million a year. Almost 30 work for him personally as chefs, valets and gardeners. The rest run his office and charities.