HC Deb 10 October 1916 vol 86 cc24-5W
Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps have been taken or are about to be taken to extend the War Charities Act to Ireland; (2) whether a person collecting money or goods, or promoting a bazaar or entertainment in England, Scotland, or Wales on behalf of a war charity, the governing body of which is in Ireland, without having the authority of that governing body or persons authorised to act on their behalf, is guilty of any offence under the War Charities Act; if not, will he explain why Irish war charities are not protected equally with war charities in Great Britain; and (3) if any money is being collected or solicited in England, Scotland, or Wales for any war charity, the governing body of which is in Ireland; and, if so, will he explain why money contributed to Irish war charities by the British public should not be safeguarded with equal care as money collected in Great Britain; for British war charities?

Mr. DUKE

All persons making appeals or soliciting subscriptions in Great Britain, for any unregistered war charity, are guilty of an offence under the War Charities Act, 1916, even though the organisation of the particular charity is in Ireland. This is so whether the appeals are or are not authorised by the organisation. I have no information as to "whether money is being collected in Great Britain for any Irish war charity. No steps can be taken to apply the Act to Ireland until an address is presented to His Majesty by either House of Parliament praying that the Act shall be so applied.