HC Deb 21 March 1997 vol 292 c964W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what advice she has given concerning the owners of premises to which the public are admitted in relation to granting permission to charities to make collections on those premises; and if she will make a statement. [21367]

Mr. Sproat

None. However, the Charity Commission has for a number of years advised retailers about the risks of fraudulent collectors. The commission regularly advises retailers on the licensing requirements for charitable fundraising and how they can make checks to establish whether a charity or fundraiser is a registered charity or is otherwise known to the commission. Stores are encouraged to pass on to the commission information about organisations or individuals who have approached them for permission to collect on their premises and who did not, for whatever reason, appear to be bona fide. The Charity Commission continues to look for opportunities to help retailers to avoid giving permission to possibly fraudulent collectors.