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Charities Bill [Lords]
12:00 pm
Martin Horwood (Shadow Minister (Environment), Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat)
The right hon. Gentleman is right up to a point. The point about the list in clause 2(2) is that it is necessary but not sufficient to achieve charitable status. A charity must fall within it and be for the public benefit. Falling within the categories listed in subsection (2) and being for the protection of the environment is not sufficient for the achievement of charitable status. However, I agree that it is right that there should in addition be a public benefit test. Indeed, the rest of the amendment clearly shows that I should like a stronger public benefit test. I am simply trying to put beyond doubt certain categories of charitable activity that would not immediately show themselves to be for the public benefit, and to make it clear in the Bill that they are to be treated as being for the public benefit. I hope that that reassures the right hon. Gentleman.