§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
In relation to the registered charity Iran Aid, how many existing beneficiaries Iran Aid has (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) elsewhere; and what amount of funds Iran Aid is holding for its beneficiaries; and [HL 4001]
In relation to the registered charity Iran Aid, why no report has been produced by the Charity Commissioners on the affairs of the charity, despite investigations lasting over one year; what will be the cost, if any, to the charity of the investigation into its affairs; when they expect a report to be available; and whether it will be published; and [HL4002]
In relation to the registered charity Iran Aid, whether they consider that the investigation into the affairs of the charity may have breached the rules of natural justice, or infringed the European Convention on Human Rights. [HL4003]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe Charity Commission has not been able to establish details of the charity's beneficiaries, as a result of a lack of co-operation from the trustees and an unlawful sit-in of the charity's premises by volunteers of the charity preventing access to its records.
The Charity Commission's inquiry has been conducted in full accordance with the Charities Act 1993 and with full regard to natural justice and the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights. These do not require the production of a public report.
As a central part of the process the commission has kept the trustees and their legal representatives fully informed of the commission's concerns, and the trustees have been given every opportunity to answer these concerns. The commission is carefully considering the trustees' most recent response. The commission will make a full public statement as soon as it can, consistent with the rules of natural justice.
The costs of the commission's inquiry will be met by the commission. The only costs to the charity are those of the receiver and manager. These are capped at £97,000. That appointment was only necessary because of the concerns that the charity's funds and papers were at risk.