MR. BEYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the honourable Member for Pen-rith, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether the Charity Commissioners expect to be able to complete the preparation and publication of the schemes to be prepared by them under "The City of London Parochial Charities Act, 1883," before the 31st of December in the present year, when their powers under that Act expire; or, if not, whether they propose to request Her Majesty's Government to introduce a Bill for prolonging their powers for another year; and, when the principal scheme or schemes to be issued under the Act are likely to be published by the Commissioners?
MR. J. W. LOWTHEE (Cumberland, Penrith)The Charity Commissioners expect to be able to complete the preparation and publication of most of the schemes under the Act before December 31 in the present year, but the procedure prescribed by the Act in connection with the establishment of schemes after publication will require the continuance of their powers for a limited time, and the Commissioners therefore propose to request the Government to prolong their powers. It is hoped that the principal scheme may be published within the next two months.
§ MR. BRYCEDoes the First Lord of the Treasury intend to bring in a Bill for prolonging the powers of the Commissioners?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHWe shall take such steps as are necessary for the purpose. Probably an additional schedule to the Expiring Laws Continuance Act will be sufficient.