§ 2.43 p.m.
§ LORD ILFORDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper. [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is intended that the alterations of the law affecting leasehold property envisaged in the Command Paper Leasehold Reform in England and Wales [Cmnd. 2916] will apply to properties owned by charities for charitable purposes.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (LORD MITCHISON)My Lords, the proposals in the White Paper will apply in general to property of charities held for charitable purposes. But it is proposed to exclude land held inalienably by the National Trust and property owned by housing associations, some of which are charities. Special provisions will also apply to certain public authorities mentioned in paragraph 16(b) of the White Paper: some of these are charities.
§ LORD ILFORDMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his rather discouraging reply, may I ask him whether he will invite his right honourable friend to consider this matter again, in view of the number of bodies administering funds in which the public are interested and for whom special treatment is recommended in the White Paper? There really are a very large number of these: universities, Government Departments, New Town Authorities, statutory undertakers, Crown Estates and so forth.
§ LORD MITCHISONMy Lords, this matter has been fully considered, and your Lordships will remember that this White Paper has been approved in another place as a basis for legislation. Universities are one of the bodies specifically mentioned in paragraph 16(b).