HC Deb 23 March 1893 vol 10 cc894-5
MR. A. C. MORTON

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Merionethshire whether, in view of the fact that the inquiry instituted in 1891, in consequence of Mr. Henry Dann's Report upon the Lambeth Charities, revealed the necessity for an amalgamation of the Charities and the constitution of a publicly elected Board of Trustees, the Charity Commissioners have taken any steps to bring about the amalgamation as urged by the Vestry of Lambeth; and, if so, what causes the delay in the completion of the scheme; does the proposed scheme, if any, include the Hayles and Walcot estates; and, if not, why not; and, when may the publication of the scheme be expected, and will the local Governing Body (the Vestry) be permitted to offer any amendment to it?

MR. THOMAS ELLIS

For some time prior to the year 1891 the Charity Commissioners had promoted an amalgamation of the Lambeth Charities, with a view to their management by a representative body of Trustees. It was not, however, until 1891 that the necessary applications from the Trustees of certain of the Parochial Charities were received. In January, 1892, a draft scheme was published amalgamating all the minor eleemosynary Charities founded for the benefit of the whole parish. A draft scheme was published in January, 1892, and objections and suggestions thereon were received from the Vestry of Lambeth, which have been fully considered by the Commissioners. The scheme is now on the point of being established, after a careful revision in connexion with the representations made by the Vestry and others. The proposed scheme does not include the Hayle and Walcot Charities, because the Commissioners have not received the application from the Trustees of those Charities, upon which alone proceedings for their inclusion in the scheme can be taken. As has been already stated, the proposed scheme was published in the course of last year, and the Vestry of Lambeth have had full opportunities, of which it has largely availed itself, of offering suggestions for its amendment.

MR. A. C. MORTON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Lambeth Vestry objected to the scheme by deputation, and that they have received no reply to their objections?

MR. THOMAS ELLIS

The scheme has been duly published after careful consideration of the objections of the Vestry.