§ Mr. GUINNESSasked the hon. Member for the Stroud Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether he is aware that more than two years ago the Bury St. Edmunds Feoffment Trustees and the trustees of other charities submitted an amalgamation scheme to the Charity Commissioners, but have not yet received their decision; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused by the delay, he can state how soon an answer may be expected?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY CHARITY COMMISSIONER (Mr. C. P. Allen)The Bury St. Edmunds Guildhall Feoffment Trustees, on 1st December, 1909, made application for a scheme for the amalgamation of certain Bury charities for the maintenance of some ninety-six almshouses under their management. There has never been any doubt as to the Commissioners making such a scheme, which was proposed largely on their suggestion and as2832W the result of a visit from one of their Assistant-Commissioners. The scheme, how-! ever has been delayed, pending the settlement of the question of the expediency of closing a certain number of the almshouses, the state of which was such as to require a larger outlay on repairs than the charities could properly afford; and, also, that the effect of the Old Age Pensions Act might be ascertained in regard to the removal of the difficulty that many of the almspeople were, contrary to a well established rule of law, in receipt of poor-law relief and therefore not properly eligible. The Assistant-Commissioner is going to Bury shortly, and will discuss the matter fully with the trustees.