§ Mr. Meacherasked the Attorney-General if he will request the Charity Commissioners to institute a full inquiry into the affairs of Help the Aged regarding the activities of Help the Aged Housing Appeal Ltd., in the light of the information sent to him by the hon. Member for Oldham, West; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Charity Commissioners are investigating the gifted housing scheme administered on behalf of Help the Aged by its subsidiary trading company. They have called for the observations of the trustees on the activities to which the hon. Member refers, and will consider the trustees' comments before deciding what further steps may be necessary. I do not think it would be appropriate for me to ask the Commissioners to institute a formal inquiry at this stage, but I have asked them to keep me informed of the progress of their investigations.