HC Deb 01 June 1956 vol 553 c655

2.34 p.m.

Order for Second Reading read.

Sir Hugh Linstead (Putney)

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.

This, again, is an old charity; it dates back to before 1500. It consists of an almshouse, and among other provisions in the original constitution is a provision strictly limiting to thirty-two the number of people who may be accommodated in this almshouse. It has now become necessary to alter the size of the almshouse and to modernise it. In consequence, that provision, among others in the original constitution, requires to be looked at again; and the purpose of the scheme which the Bill seeks to confirm is to give wider powers to the trustees for the purpose of modernising the building and reallocating their funds.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins (Merton and Morden)

I beg to second the Motion.

Mr. Ede (South Shields)

Does the scheme in any way involve a reduction in the number of beneficiaries? The hon. Member mentioned thirty-two as the present number. Will that number be reduced or in any way altered by these proposals?

Sir H. Linstead

That will depend upon the allocation which the trustees make of their money. If I may speak again, by leave of the House, I would explain that if they have sufficient funds they will, I understand, be able to reconstruct the building so as to take thirty-two or possibly more. If, on the other hand, their funds are insufficient, it may mean that the numbers will have to be slightly reduced in order to give more modern accommodation to those in the almshouse. I think that both possibilities are open under the new scheme.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Sir H. Linstead.]

Bill immediately considered in Committee; reported, without Amendment; read the Third time and passed.