Clause 141 (Hansard, 17 July 1972)

§ Mr. Speed
I beg to move, Amendment No. 640, in page 90, line 36, after 'departments', insert: 'or by charities and other voluntary organisations'.

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Miss Harvie Anderson)
With this Amendment can be taken Amendment No. 641.

§ Mr. Speed
These Amendments extend the powers given to local authorities under Clause 141 to make available to the public, directly or indirectly, information about the local government or central Government services available in local authorities' areas and to publicise those services by means of films, models, exhibitions and all the other modern marketing techniques. They enable local authorities to use these powers to publicise the work of charities and voluntary organisations within the local authorities' areas. The work of charities and voluntary organisations such as Shelter, the WRVS, the Royal Institute for the Blind, housing Societies often either supplements or complements the work of the local authorities. We think it is sensible to enable local authorities to make known to the public the work of and the services provided by such bodies for the benefit of all the residents living within the area.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell
Are schools which are registered as charitable institutions for tax purposes included in the definition of "charities"? If they are, there may be wider implications.

§ Mr. Speed
There could be wider implications. My understanding is that a school would be a registered charity, but I should like notice of that question. There are special considerations for schools. Perhaps I may contact the hon. Gentleman on this before the Bill goes to another place.