§ Mr. John E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement about the exercise of her powers and duties under the Charities Act, 1960.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe exercise of these powers and duties and those of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales was included in the review of departmental responsibilities announced in the White Paper on the Reorganisation of Central Government. The Government have concluded that they are not appropriate to be exercised by Ministers of the Crown and that they should be transferred to the Charity Commissioners, who already exercise concurrent powers under the Charities Act. Legislation will be required to confer exclusive jurisdiction on the Commissioners, and this will be introduced when a suitable opportunity occurs.