§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if his Department will take lead responsibility for the Government response to the Strategy Unit Review of Charities and the wider Notfor-Profit sector; [89288]
(2) what plans the Government have to propose legislation in response to the recommendations of the Strategy Unit Review of Charities and the wider Not-for-Profit sector. [89289]
§ Beverley HughesMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has responsibility for charities, charity law and the voluntary and community sector in England and Wales. The Active Community Unit of the Home Office has responsibility for managing the programme of implementation of the recommendations in the Strategy Unit report, working in conjunction with other Departments and agencies as appropriate.
The consultation period for the report ran until the end of December 2002. Work has now started on analysing the responses that have been received. The Active Community Unit will later this year publish an implementation plan for the recommendations arising from the report. The Government are in principle committed to legislate and will be looking for an early opportunity to do so.