HC Deb 15 March 2001 vol 364 cc705-6W
Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Solicitor-General when he and his officials first met officers and staff of the Coram family to discuss the Charity Commission-approved scheme to maximise the contribution of the Coram collection. [153666]

The Solicitor-General

My officials, and those acting on my behalf in the Treasury Solicitor's Department, have not met with officers and staff of the Coram Foundation. However there has been a considerable amount of correspondence with the Foundation and their solicitors. There have also been informal meetings between our respective Counsel.

The Foundation has been asked to set out its proposals in writing, rather than at a meeting, so that there can be no misunderstanding about what is intended.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Solicitor-General when he last took action in relation to the judgment of the Charity Commission and the trustees at the Foundling Hospital. [153552]

The Solicitor-General

I reconsidered that matter in the week beginning 7 March, in the light of the further material which has been submitted by the Foundation this year and with the benefit of joint opinion from Counsel which was obtained on my behalf.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment he has made of the wishes of Handel and Hogarth in relation to the trustees' scheme for the Coram Collection. [153667]

The Solicitor-General

It has not been the case of the Governors of the Foundation that the Hogarth paintings or the Handeliana are held on special trusts such as would preclude their sale. In these circumstances, it is the duty of the Governors to consider how the assets of the charity can best be used to advance its objects: those objects being, broadly, the care of poor deserted children.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Solicitor-General how he took account of the views of all the trustees of registered charity 312278 before responding to the view of one trustee. [153553]

The Solicitor-General

After being alerted to this matter by Peter G1azebrook, a Governor of the Coram Foundation, in April last year I asked that inquiries should be undertaken. The Treasury Solicitor's Department, acting on my behalf, first contacted the Coram Foundation on 28 July 2000.

I have been anxious throughout to ensure that my consideration of this matter should be as well-informed as possible. I have also been open with the Foundation, for example making available the draft particulars of claim and the recent Counsel's Opinion on the matter.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Solicitor-General what consultations he had with the(a) Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (b) Home Office and (c) Charity Commission before intervening in the Coram scheme. [153668]

The Solicitor-General

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) The Treasury Solicitor's Department wrote, on my behalf, to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 23 August 2000. A reply was received on 1 November 2000. Since that time DCMS has been kept informed as to developments.
  2. (b) There have been no contacts with the Home Office, which has no responsibility for this matter.
  3. (c) The Treasury Solicitor's Department first contacted the Charity Commission on 5 July 2000. The Commission has since been kept fully informed as to developments.