§ Sir Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Lord Privy Seal why the detailed arrangements for charity payroll giving, referred to in his predecessor's answer in the Official Report, 4 March, column 630, have not yet been implemented; what has been the cause of the delay; and when the scheme will become operative for hon. Members.
§ Mr. WakehamAs I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate, the charity payroll giving scheme is both new and detailed. It is necessary to appoint an agency or agencies to which the contributions deducted from donor's salaries will be paid for subsequent distribution to the individual charities nominated by the donors. The agency must be a charity and must have been approved for the purpose by Inland Revenue. As my hon. Friend will recognise, the agency must be carefully selected and the necessary contractual and administrative arrangements must be examined in depth before prospective donors are invited to participate in the scheme. It is hoped to introduce a scheme when the House returns after the summer recess. The £120 limit applies to the tax year as a whole.