HC Deb 19 December 1967 vol 756 cc1089-91
Ql1. Mr. Cordle

asked the Prime Minister what further consideration he has given to the setting up of an advisory national co-ordinating committee to help those administering disaster funds.

The Prime Minister

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Charity Commissioners are always ready, and indeed anxious, to advise on the wording of charitable appeals and trust deeds and have power under the Charities Act, 1960, to extend the declared objects of a charitable fund to enable any residue to be utilised. These arrangements meet the main difficulties which can arise and steps have been taken to ensure that the assistance which the Charity Commissioners can offer is made known to those establishing new appeals. In the circumstances, I do not think that a new Committee, as proposed by the hon. Gentleman, would have a useful function to perform.

Mr. Cordle

Would not the Prime Minister agree that a special committee should be set up to obviate difficulties such as those experienced by the Aberfan disaster fund, and similar funds?

The Prime Minister

I think that everyone is aware of the difficulties which arise, but in the case of Aberfan, for example, the Charity Commissioner." were closely involved in the setting up of the fund, and have been in close touch with the fund ever since its foundation. I do not think that any committee could have done more.

Mr. Thorpe

Would the Prime Minister give further consideration to the idea of a central fund, so that money is immediately available when a disaster occurs and there is no question of any unused funds being left which, for trust purposes, can never be used?

The Prime Minister

This matter has been considered many times, as has the proposal of the hon. Member for Bourne-mouth, East and Christchurch (Mr. Cordle) for a national co-ordinating committee, but I think that the general view would be that a vague general fund with no specific objects would be much less likely to attract contributions from people who are deeply distressed by an individual accident or disaster, and who would want to contribute specifically for that disaster.