Oral Answers to Questions

Steve Reed Excerpts
Thursday 10th May 2018

(6 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tracey Crouch Portrait Tracey Crouch
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I am aware of the two cases that the hon. Gentleman refers to, and I will be happy, as always, to meet him.

Steve Reed Portrait Mr Steve Reed (Croydon North) (Lab/Co-op)
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May I start by wishing good luck to SuRie, who I am sure Members are aware is the UK’s entry in the Eurovision song contest on Saturday night?

The National Fund is a charitable trust with almost half a billion pounds of assets. It has been seeking Government permission to close and release its funds for charitable purposes since 2011. That money would be a lifeline to cash-starved charities up and down the country. Why have the Government dithered for seven years, rather than making that money available to charities?

Tracey Crouch Portrait Tracey Crouch
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We work very closely with the Charity Commission and look at these issues on a daily basis. I will happily meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss that issue further. I am sure there are good reasons behind the delay in the process, but my door is always open, as he knows.