A Sussex MP has called for greater scrutiny of the "absurdly preferential" tax breaks enjoyed by the Queen.

Lewes MP Norman Baker said the benefits were "indefensible" and the monarch should be treated like everybody else.

In a House of Commons debate, he said royal spending of public money should be opened up to Parliamentary scrutiny.

Mr Baker said the public had a right to know exactly what tax the Royal Family paid under the terms of a voluntary agreement drawn up in 1993 and he asked if the Queen paid top-rate income tax.

Responding for the Government, Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo said the only royal tax exemption was in not paying inheritance tax on items left from monarch to monarch.

That was to allow the monarchy sufficient private resources to fulfil its traditional role and a degree of financial independence from the Government.

All other tax was paid by the Royal Family according to the same rules and rates as the rest of the general public.