§ 55. Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many charities are now registered with the Charities Commission; and whether he will set up a commission of inquiry to ascertain the individual needs for which these charities collect funds, and the advisability of setting up a Community Chest on similar lines to that in the United States of America, details of which are in his possession.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesOver 71,000 charities are now registered with the Charity Commissioners. I would not favour an inquiry into the purposes for which these charities collect funds. Charities for the common good can be established by local action, and advice can be obtained from the Charity Commissioners.