§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the police investigation of property acquisitions by the Algrade Trust. [15549]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe police are inquiring into the circumstances surrounding the making of a will. The general heritable property acquisitions of the former trustees are being examined by the Scottish Charities Office in the course of its investigation into the financial affairs of the Algrade Trust.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Scottish Charities Office to complete its investigation of the affairs of the Algrade Trust; and if he will make a statement. [15550]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe investigation is making good progress. The intervention of the Scottish Charities Office has brought about the resignations of the former trustees and their replacement by the present trustees who have backgrounds in teaching, accountancy and medicine. The new trustees are responsible for the management of the Algrade Trust. The issues giving rise to the past concerns about Algrade developed over the many years during which the former trustees had charge of the administration under the supervision and registration of the local social work department. Some 511W new matters have emerged in the course of the investigation and further work requires to be done on points arising from the accountancy report and into aspects of the property transactions. The investigation is not likely to be concluded before the end of June of this year.