Charitable Registration
Debate between Dan Byles and Fiona Bruce(11 years, 11 months ago)
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Fiona Bruce
Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is all right for the Charity Commission or others to say, “Oh, you don’t have to be legally represented before going to the tribunal,” but the case is of immense importance. Not to have legal representation when, of course, the charity commissioners are legally represented would at least be unwise.
Dan Byles (North Warwickshire) (Con)
I join colleagues in congratulating my hon. Friend on securing the debate. Again, on resources, does my hon. Friend share my deep concern about the Charity Commission’s suggestion that assets may be seized from the Church if, after deciding that the Church is not a charity, the Charity Commission deems that those assets were obtained under what it might call the pretence of being a charity?
Fiona Bruce
I am aware of that problem. It demonstrates how complicated the issue is and why it must be fundamentally reviewed.