Clause 63
Charities Bill [Lords]
10:15 am
Martin Horwood (Shadow Minister (Environment), Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat)
I cannot help thinking that hon. Members and those in another place may have enormous fun reconstructing the Minister’s suggestion that known unknowns should be the proper basis for legislation, and citing Donald Rumsfeld as an authority. He might find that lawyers will challenge the idea that it is a proper basis for legislation. I certainly would. However, I am somewhat reassured that his intent is benign.
Although the Minister’s reference to fundraising being a fast-moving discipline is right, public charitable collections are probably the least fast moving of all. The way in which fundraising is done—whether with cash, direct debits or standing orders—may have evolved over the past 10 or 15 years, but the nature of public collection itself has hardly changed in 100 years. Nevertheless, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.