HC Deb 23 May 1963 vol 678 cc625-6
26. Mr. Mason

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the £226,000 granted to the Save the Children Fund from the Lord Mayor of London's Hungarian Refugee Appeal Fund was given on the understanding that it was to help Hungarian refugee children in Austria; what was the nature of the undertaking received by his Department before consent was granted to transfer this money abroad; and, in view of the fact that none of it has been used for that purpose, if he will not allow any more exchange control applications by this organisation.

Mr. du Cann

All I can add to my Written Answer on 30th April to my hon. Friend tie Member for Bournemouth, West (Mr. Eden) is that any further applications would, as in the case of all bona fide charitable organisations, require to be supported by a satisfactory assurance that the funds will be put to a genuine charitable use.

Mr. Mason

Many charges are being made against the Save the Children Fund by the Direct Aid to the Refugees in Europe on the ground that it has misappropriated funds, and that £226,000 has not been used for the care of Hungarian refugee children. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these charges, and counter-charges by the Save the Children Fund against D.A.R.E., are causing immense harm to both these charitable organisations and many others and that many people are losing faith in these charities? Does he not feel that there ought to be an inquiry to clear up the matter once and for all?

Mr. du Cann

I think that the important part of the hon. Member's supplementary question relates to the point that there appear to be two sides to this matter.

Dr. Stross

Is the Minister aware that the Save the Children Fund is one of the most reputable organisations in this country or anywhere? Having served it myself for the last 13 or 14 years, I assure my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) that I shall be glad to give him details so that he will know in future that some of this information is quite wrong.

Mr. du Cann

The hon. Member has been good enough to illustrate my point.