Captain FABERasked the Attorney-General if his attention had been called to cases in which the funds of several charities have been pooled with a view to having them administered by one central authority; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to prevent this being done?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Rufus Isaacs)The policy of the Charity Commissioners has always been in favour of pooling the charities of a parish or other area, and it has been their practice, whenever possible, in cases within their jurisdiction, to consolidate such charities under the administration of one authority. This policy has been carried further by Parliament in the case of the City of London Parochial Charities Act, 1883, and in various Acts confirming schemes of the Commissioners. In 1884 a Select Committee of the House of Commons advocated the concentration of charities—within a certain area—under one management. Pooling of charities has also been recommended by the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress. I do not consider that legislation in the direction suggested by the hon. Member would be advisable.
Captain FABERMay I ask if a Commissioner was sent down to Derby with the view of pooling the charities there, one of which was £5,000 a year?
§ Sir RUFUS ISAACSI must ask the hon. Member to give notice of that question.