§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had and intends to have with representatives of voluntary organisations and the Charity Commission over the proposal by the European Commission for a statute for European associations.
§ Mr. John PattenI understand that the Commission has approved proposals for a statute for European associations but that the texts have not yet been formally promulgated. My officials, and those of the Charity Commission, have had informal discussions on the draft proposals and we shall want to consult widely once we have the formal texts.