§ MR. DODD (Essex, Maldon)I beg to ask the Parliamentary Charity Commissioner to whom Trustees of Charities such as John Wynne's Charity, are bound to send copies of their accounts, and where, and by whom, those accounts may be inspected; and what powers the Charity Commissioners have to compel Trustees to perform the duty of sending such copies of their accounts?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY CHARITY COMMISSIONER (Mr. T. E. ELLIS, Merionethshire)The Trustees of all Charities within the jurisdiction of the Charity Commissioners are bound to send copies of their accounts annually to the Charity Commissioners; and, further, in the case of Parochial Charities (such as that of John Wynne appears to be) they are bound to deliver another copy of the accounts to the Churchwardens of the parish or parishes with which the objects of the Charity are identified. The Churchwardens are required to present these copies of accounts at the next Vestry meeting, and to insert a copy in the minutes of the Vestry-book. Every such copy is required to be open to the inspection of all persons at seasonable hours, and any person may require a copy of every such account at the rate of 2d. per folio. The Charity Commissioners have power to make orders directing Trustees to perform the duty of thus sending copies of their accounts, and may enforce compliance with those orders by process of attachment for contempt of the High Court of Justice.
MR. HERBERT LEWISI beg to ask the Parliamentary Charity Commissioner whether it has been brought to his notice that the rector of Newmarket, Flintshire, Secretary to the Trustees of John Wynne's Charity, has recently declined to allow the County Councillor for the district and another parishioner to inspect the accounts of the Charity; whether the Commissioners are satisfied that the funds of the Charity are not being used for denominational purposes; and whether the Commissioners intend to take steps to compel the Trustees to produce their accounts to the inspection of the parishioners of Newmarket and other parishes interested in the Charity?
§ MR. T. E. ELLISThe Commissioners are informed that Mr. T. Lloyd Ellis, C.C., and another parishioner recently called at the Rectory, Newmarket, Flintshire, to inspect the account books of the John Wynne Charity, and that the rector of Newmarket considered that he would not be justified in submitting the books to them, and was anxious to consult his co-Trustees on the matter. The rector thus acted under a misapprehension, for the accounts are required to be open to the inspection of all persons at reasonable hours. The Commissioners have no evidence before them that the funds of the Charity are used for denominational purposes other than those within the scope of the present Trusts. The Commissioners will direct the Trustees to comply in future with the requirements of the law with regard to the production of accounts of Parochial Charities.
MR. HERBERT LEWISIf application is made to the Charity Commissioners for a copy of the accounts of Wynne's Charity for the last three years will it be furnished to any person properly making the application?
§ MR. T. E. ELLISYes, Sir.