Schedule 7
Charities Bill [Lords]
4:00 pm
Edward Miliband (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office; Doncaster North, Labour)
This is an incredibly complicated issue and members of the Committee will be pleased to know that I shall not read out the 20-minute speech that I had prepared on the subject. Suffice it to say the problem is that, under English company law, there is not a company that does not consist of members. Trustees control and manage the charity under a CIO and members essentially form the charitable incorporated organisation. Although there is some sympathy with the intention behind the hon. Gentleman’s amendments, it is difficult—as our discussion made clear—to achieve what he seeks. There needs to be both trustees and members, although it is not particularly elegant in law. In light of the undertakings, I am happy to continue to discuss matters with him and any other representatives that he considers have important views on the matter, so I hope that he is willing to withdraw the amendment.