§ Mr. FallonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that telephone inquiries in respect of the gift aid scheme are given information about smaller and regional charities.[R] [80029]
§ Ms HewittThe Gift Aid 2000 campaign is designed to raise awareness of the Millennium Gift Aid scheme, which provides tax relief for donations to UK charities to support education and anti-poverty projects in the world's 333W 80 poorest countries. It is proposed to extend the scheme to provide also for the relief of poverty of refugees from designated countries and to designate Kosovo.
People who ring the Gift Aid 2000 telephone number can choose up to three charities to benefit from their donation. If a donor requires assistance in choosing a charity, the operator will suggest some for the donor's approval. These are randomly selected by computer, either from a list of charities working in a part of the world or on a charitable activity nominated by the donor, or from the complete list of participating charities. All participating charities have an equal chance.