§ 45. Mr. Ben Whitakerasked the Attorney-General whether he will introduce legislation to require the Inns of Court to publish their annual accounts.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo, Sir.
§ Mr. WhitakerAs these institutions receive large public subsidies in the shape of rate relief, is it not right that the public should have an opportunity to examine how they spend their money?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Inns of Court are voluntary unincorporated societies, and, that being so, there is no requirement in law that they should publish their accounts. But the educational trusts which the Inns have set up and out of which they provide for their charitable activities in the education field enjoy tax relief, and in respect of these the Secretary of State for Education and Science can require the Inns to give information, and any such information will be made public.