§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the Charity Commissioner whether he is aware that J. Whitwell, labourer, 75 years old, had notice to quit a cottage the property of the Canewdon Charities, and was subsequently fined for 958 refusing to give up possession; and if the property of those Charities could be dispensed, as intended by the donors, for the relief of the deserving poor, and not devoted to other and totally different purposes?
§ MR. T. E. ELLIS (Merionethshire)The Charity Commissioners have no knowledge of the determination of the tenancy of J. Whitwell or the attendant circumstances. The accounts, however, of the Charity for 1889, 1890, and 1891, show that in each of these years arrears of rent were due from a tenant of the Charity property of that name. It has already been pointed out to the hon. Member, on three several occasions in answer to questions put by him or to inquiries made in the course of Debate, that this Charity is governed by a scheme made by the Court of Chancery in 1852, paior to the establishment of the Charity Commission, and that no modification of that scheme can be effected by the Commissioners except upon an application from a majority of the present Trustees.
§ MAJOR RASCHWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that this Charity is devoted to the use of those for whom it was originally intended?
§ MR. T. E. ELLISIn a Charity of over £50, the Charity Commissioners can take no steps except at the initiative of the Charity Trustees. If any scheme is submitted to them they will be prepared to consider it, or they will be glad if Parliament will give them power to deal with charities over £50.
§ MAJOR RASCHI will call attention to this matter on the Estimates, and move a reduction of the Vote.