Charities Bill [HL]

Whichever way, the Australians are doing rather well at the moment, I fear. We accept that it has been the normal procedure for the charity to be told but we are seeking to make it explicit that the statement has to be made. Reference has been made to the fact that individuals have not always been allowed to comment on reports that affected them and that some factual inaccuracies could have been corrected. It is obviously an issue on which people will wish to comment following today’s debate. I have some difficulty with the issue of prejudicing criminal investigations. We have not said that this has to be done in advance but within seven days. Once the Charity Commission and the police are probing around it will become fairly apparent that something is going on. I have some difficulty in seeing how what we are suggesting will prejudice those kinds of investigations. I will take on board the Minister’s points and reflect further on them. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.