§ Lord Denningasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Section 28 of the Charities Act 1992, which came into force on 1st January 1993, enables the Charity Commissioners to take over the position formerly occupied by the Attorney-General as the representative of the Crown as parens patriae in regard to charitable trusts: and whether the Charity Commissioners themselves will now take legal proceedings to protect the property and affairs of charities and, in particular, that of the old school premises of Whitchurch by means of a scheme under Section 2(1) and (3) of the Reverter of Sites Act 1987.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)Section 28 of the Charities Act 1992 does not place the Charity Commissioners in the position ofparens patriae in regard to charitable trusts. That position is occupied by the Attorney-General as representative of the Crown, whose agreement is required to any exercise of the commissioners' powers under Section 28. The commissioners do not intend to establish a scheme under the Reverter of Sites Act 1987 in respect of the former school at Whitchurch.