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MPs will not be given time in the House of Commons<\/a> to discuss Prince Andrew\u2019s conduct because the royal family wants Parliament to focus on \u201cimportant issues\u201d, Downing Street said.<\/p>\n The Commons could only discuss Andrew\u2019s friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his rent-free mansion<\/a> if there was a formal motion, but the Government controls the bulk of parliamentary time.<\/p>\n Downing Street said it would not allocate time for a debate in the chamber although MPs could still scrutinise the situation in committees.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Speaker addresses ‘inaccuracies’ on what MPs can say on Prince Andrew<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Revelations in the posthumous memoir of Andrew\u2019s sex accuser Virginia Giuffre have placed increasing pressure on the King\u2019s brother, who announced last week he would stop using the “Duke of York” title<\/a>.<\/p>\n Calls have intensified for Andrew to give up his 30-room Royal Lodge home in Windsor Great Park after it emerged he paid a \u201cpeppercorn rent\u201d for more than 20 years.<\/p>\n The Public Accounts Committee is to write to the Crown Estate and the Treasury to raise \u201ca number of questions\u201d about Andrew\u2019s lease on the property.<\/p>\n Only legislation can formally remove his dukedom, which is now held in abeyance.<\/p>\n Asked whether ministers would allocate time for a debate, a No 10 spokesperson said: \u201cPrince Andrew has already confirmed he will not use his titles.<\/p>\n \u201cWe support the decision made by the royal family and we know the royal family would not want to take time from other important issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Prince Andrew is facing scrutiny over his ties to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (Image: PA)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n In response to repeated questions about a Commons debate, the spokesperson said: \u201cWe know the royal family would not want to take time from other important issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked why No 10 was blocking MPs from discussing Andrew\u2019s conduct, the spokesperson said: \u201cI don\u2019t accept that. Any decision by committees to scrutinise developments are a matter for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked whether No 10 viewed it as a waste of parliamentary time to discuss Andrew\u2019s lease of the Royal Lodge on a peppercorn rent, the spokesperson said: \u201cThat\u2019s not what I\u2019ve said.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Sky News issues correction over false Maccabi Tel Aviv ban claim<\/a><\/p>\n Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said there was no ban on MPs discussing the conduct of a member of the royal family but it would have to be on a \u201csubstantive motion\u201d rather than during regular question time sessions.<\/p>\n Polling by Ipsos conducted earlier this week found 88% believe it was right for Andrew to give up his titles.<\/p>\n More than half of those asked believe there should be an Act of Parliament to remove them. More than four fifths of Britons have a negative view of the prince.<\/p>\n SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn (Image: PA)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Commons leader Alan Campbell was asked on Thursday whether MPs would have time to debate a motion put forward by the Scottish National Party to create a new law to formally strip Andrew of his dukedom.<\/p>\n The leader of the SNP<\/a> in Westminster<\/a>, Stephen Flynn<\/a> said: \u201cI have laid a motion before this House which calls on the Government to listen to parliamentarians and to listen to the public and to listen to victims and take legislative action to remove the dukedom from Prince Andrew.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen is the Government going to come forward with that legislation?\u201d<\/p>\n Campbell said: \u201cI know that there\u2019s been speculation about legislation. But the palace have been clear that they recognise that there are other matters that this House needs to be getting on with, and we are guided in this by the palace.<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean that the House can\u2019t find ways of debating these matters, whether it be the matter of titles, or whether it be a matter of the finances, which I know are under question here.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Prince Andrew invited to stay at Highland castle amid ‘exile’ reports<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n