§ 45. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Prime Minister what steps the Government propose to take in order to obtain better co-ordination in respect of appeals on behalf of the Belgians, and to prevent waste of effort and misapplication of funds; and whether similar steps will be taken in respect of war charities generally with a view equally to the protection of donors and of all urgent bonâ fide charities?
§ Mr. LONGThe Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. As to the first part, arrangements have been made for giving official recognition to appeals which are approved by the British and Belgian Governments. The official recognition will be in the form of a certificate issued by the Local Government Board. I am not in a position to make any promise to extend this principle to war charities generally.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWill the right hon. Gentleman extend the scope of the action of the Government to all war charities?
§ Mr. LONGI should not like to promise to do that, because my promise might be 228 taken to indicate that there is some hope that we might be able to do it. We have looked into the question very carefully and it seems almost an impossible task.