HC Deb 04 August 1904 vol 139 cc999-1000
MR. CREMER

I beg to ask the hon. Member for the Tunbridge Division of Kent, as a Charity Commissioner, whether any, and, if any, what reforms have been made in the application and administration of the endowments of St. Katherine's Hospital in the Regent's Park, or whether what the Charity Commissioner in 1893 in this House described as a scandal still exists; whether £6,402 is annually expended upon salaries and management; £561 upon education; and £190 upon gifts; whether the master still receives a salary of £1,200; how many sermons he preaches during the year; and what are the other duties connected with his office; whether there are three brothers and three sisters, each of them receiving £300 per annum, besides being provided with a residence; what are the duties performed by the brothers and sisters; how many inquiries have at different times been instituted into this endowment, and what changes have resulted from such inquiries; and whether he will cause to be laid upon the Table of the House a copy of the reforms which Mr. Skirrow, on behalf of the Charity Commissioners, proposed several years ago, and also a statement of the income and expenditure of the hospital during the year ending 31st December last.

MR. GRIFFITH BOSCAWEN (Kent, Tunbridge)

was not in his place to answer.

MR. CREMER

asked the Prime Minister whether he would afford the House an opportunity of discussing the Vote for the Charity Commission, which had not been discussed in the House of Commons for three years. In the Question he had on the Paper grave representations were made, on the authority of a former member of the Charity Commission, to the effect that the "charity" named was a scandal.

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member is not entitled to make a speech.

MR. CREMER

I will only ask, then, whether, considering the importance of the Vote, the Prime Minister will, before the end of the session, give the House an opportunity of giving it some consideration, however scanty.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Being unacquainted with the particular case. I can form no estimate of its importance, but if possible, within the somewhat narrow limit of time left, I shall be glad to give the opportunity asked for, but it is impossible for me to give any pledge on the subject.