§ 52. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the hon. and gallant Member for Tonbridge (Lieut.-Colonel Spender-Clay), as representing the Charity Commissioners, for what reason less than one-fifth of the annual income of Henry Smith's Charity (Kensington estate) is applied to the purpose for which it was bequeathed in 1627; and whether the trustees satisfy themselves that none of the kindred are in need before sanctioning the annual expenditure of over £23,000 upon other purposes?
§ Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER-CLAY (Charity Commissioner)Henry Smith anticipated that his charity for the poorest of his kindred would realise an income of £60 a year, but the lands appropriated to his bequest now produce an income exceeding 400 times that amount. The principal scheme regulating the charity (which was established by the Court of Appeal) contemplated the probability that there would be a considerable surplus of income after meeting the needs of the kindred and made provision for the appropriation of that surplus in other ways. The Charity Commissioners are informed that the needs of the qualified kindred are fully considered by the trustees in exercise of the discretion vested in them before income is appropriated to any of the other purposes specified in the scheme.
§ Mr. MORRISONHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman, as one of the trustees, satisfied himself that there are no serious cases of hardship arising among the kindred?
§ Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER-CLAYI understand all the names of those who apply come before the chairman of the trustees. The hoard meetings are held half-yearly, and I feel certain—speaking for the trustees and not as a Charity Commissioner—that full attention is paid to the needs of the kindred who apply on the ground of poverty.