§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 December,Official Report, columns 947–48, what factors led the Charity Commission to believe that some of the payments made by Foundation for Business Responsibilities to Marketforce Communications Ltd. were not justified; what consideration was given to investigating how these payments had been used by Marketforce Communications Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.
258W
§ Mr. Peter LloydAs I explained in my answer of 17 December, it was the trustees of the foundation themselves who, during the course of the commissioners' investigation, formed the view that some of the payments made to Marketforce Communications Ltd. may not have been justified. Subsequently, these and all other payments to the company by the foundation were recovered in full. New procedures were adopted by the foundation to prevent similar concerns arising in the future.
It is for the charity commissioners to decide on the extent and nature of inquiries that are appropriate in a particular case. In this case, the commissioners were satisfied that sufficient action had been taken to protect charitable funds, and that it was not necessary to continue with their inquiries.