HC Deb 11 February 1937 vol 320 cc565-6
26. Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the growth of bogus charities and house-to-house collections; and whether, with a view to removing these frauds on the public, he will introduce legislation for the compulsory registration of collecting charities, as has been done in the case of war charities and of charities for the blind?

Mr. Lloyd

My right hon. Friend has received complaints from time to time of the activities of doubtful charities, especially of some which make house-to-house collections. The compulsory registration of collecting charities was carefully considered by a Departmental Committee which reported in 1927, but the committee decided not to recommend the institution of such a system. Legislation introduced in 1929 to implement recommendations of this committee for an alternative measure of control failed to pass into law, and my right hon. Friend cannot hold out any hope of fresh Government legislation on the subject.

Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

In default of that particular Measure passing into law, has my hon. Friend any other suggestion to make in its place?

Mr. Lloyd

No, Sir. The matter has been investigated very carefully, and these were the recommendations.