New Clause 1
Charities Bill [Lords]
2:30 pm
Edward Miliband (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office; Doncaster North, Labour)
I sympathise with the sentiments behind the clause. The Trustee Act 2000 covers unincorporated charities, and the Companies Act 1985 and the Company Law Reform Bill currently being debated elsewhere in the House cover incorporated charities, giving them very similar responsibilities. It is important to clarify the duties of trustees, so it is worth saying that the Charity Commission has produced a popular and well respected booklet called “The Essential Trustee: What you need to know”, which covers the responsibilities and duties of trustees. The hon. Gentleman raises an important issue and the main things to say is that it is set out clearly in documents available to trustees. I hope that he will withdraw the new clause.