§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the numbers of registered charities corresponding to each of the percentages in the table at the top of page nine of the report of the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales for the year 1970, stating whether the information is based on the annual accounts of such charities or on some other source, and corresponding tables, showing both numbers and percentages, for the years 1971, 1972 and 1973;
(2) how many registered charities in 1971, 1972 and 1973 were subject, by reason of a permanent endowment to a statutory duty under Section 8 of the Charities Act 1960, to transmit to the Charity Commissioners yearly statements of account; how many such charities in each year did so transmit their accounts; and what steps have been taken to obtain statements of account from those which failed to transmit them;
(3) how many registered charities in 1971, 1972 and 1973 were not subject, by reason of a permanent endowment to a statutory duty under Section 8 of the Charities Act 1960, to transmit to the Charity Commissioners yearly statements of account, how many such charities were nevertheless requested by the commissioners to supply copies of their accounts; and how many did transmit to the commissioners copies of their accounts, whether in response to such a request or otherwise;
(4) what steps the Charity Commissioners have taken to encourage the development of better methods of administration of charities, in accordance with their obligation under Section 1(3) of the Charities Act 1960.
§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many exempt charities there were at 31st December 1973, or at the most recent 366W date for which figures can be obtained, in each of the seven categories listed in the Second Schedule to the Charities Act 1960;
(2) how many exempt charities, which under the Charities Act 1960 are not obliged to file their accounts with the Charity Commissioners, are under some other statutory obligation to file their accounts for public inspection;
(3) how many charities excepted from the obligation to transmit yearly statements of account under the Charities Act 1960 are under some other statutory obligation to file their accounts for public inspection;
(4) how many registered charities there were in each of the last five years at 31st December or some other suitable date;
(5) how many charities there were at 31st December 1973, or at the most recent date for which figures can be obtained, which were excepted under the Charities Act 1960 from (a) the obligation to register, (b) the obligation to transmit yearly statements of account and (c) both aforementioned obligations.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe Home Office does not keep this information as my right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the day-to-day work of the commission. I suggest that the hon. Members should approach the commissioners direct.