§ SIR HENRY KIMBERI beg to ask the hon. Member for the Barn-staple division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether, and when, the Charity Commissioners propose to seal the scheme they are preparing respecting the diversion of the trust fund bequeathed by the late Mr. Benjamin Weir, of Streatham; whether they will afford the Member for Wandsworth and the inhabitants of Streatham, in the borough of Wandsworth, a final opportunity of perusing it before it is actually sealed; and whether they will postpone the carrying out of the scheme until such time as the matter can be debated on some Vote in Supply next session.
§ MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)The Commissioners propose to seal the scheme on Tuesday next. I will send the hon. Baronet a copy of the scheme to-night. In answer to the last part of the Question, the scheme will be carried out in the ordinary course.
§ SIR HENRY KIMBERI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Charity Commissioners, a body entrusted by Parliament with the performance of specific and statutory duties 1469 and paid for the same, are proposing, greatly in excess of the powers conferred upon them by Parliament, to divert a trust fund, bequeathed by the late Mr. Benjamin Weir, of Streatham, to found a medical charity within and for the benefit of the inhabitants of Streatham, in the borough of Wandsworth, to other purposes altogether in another parish and another borough; whether he will direct the attention of the Attorney-General to the subject; and whether he will cause the carrying out of the scheme proposed by the Commissioners to be postponed until such time as the matter can be debated on some Vote in Supply next session.
§ MR. SOARES (on behalf of the PRIME MINISTER)The statements contained in the first part of the Question are evidently based on incorrect information, and a misapprehension of the nature of the trust. There would be no useful purpose in directing the attention of the Attorney-General to the subject at the present time. The Answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.