§ Mr. Hall-Davisasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will reduce to £5 the company registration fee payable by charitable bodies.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the annual fee payable to the Registrar of Companies. I have received a number of representations on this subject, and I have considered carefuly whether to introduce a reduced fee for charitable bodies. I have concluded that in the present state of the law relating to charities this would result in indefensible anomalies. Two committees—an Education, Arts and Home Office Sub-Committee of the Select Committee on Expenditure, and an unofficial committee set up by the National Council of Social Service, headed by Lord Goodman—are currently considering a wide range of questions relating to charities. I will review the situation when conclusions have been reached on their reports.