§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)I beg to ask the Parliamentary Charity Commissioner whether he can inform the House what steps are being taken to ensure the payment of the rent- 372 charge on the Meriall's Charity Estate, at Swanscombe, in Kent; whether, failing such payment, the Charity Commissioners intend to take action under The Charitable Trusts (Recovery) Act, 1891; and Whether the Charity Commission will present a Report upon this case to the House?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTPerhaps I may be allowed to answer this question. The Charity Commissioners are of opinion that no steps can now be effectually taken under The Charitable Trusts (Recovery) Act, 1891, or otherwise, for the recovery of the rent-charge in this case. The case does not materially differ from others in which the property of charities has been lost in consequence of the omission to take action within the period fixed by the Statute of Limitations, and it does not, therefore, seem to be necessary to adopt the course of making a special Report upon it.
§ MR. HOWELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the person who holds this money was himself a trustee of the charity?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTreplied that he knew nothing of the details. For them the hon. Member should apply to the Charity Commissioners.
§ MR. HOWELLasked the right hon. Gentleman if he would lay the Papers before the Public Prosecutor?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTsaid, that would be considered.