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Home Office

Answer

Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answers of 12 January 2004, Official Report, column 502W and 10 February 2004, Official Report, column 1423W, on Cheadle Royal Hospital, what assessment he has made of the scrutiny arrangements with respect to the work of the Charity Commission. [155608] Fiona Mactaggart: The Commission must report annually to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State who lays the report before Parliament, is audited by the National Audit Office, answers to the courts for its legal decisions and falls within the remit of the Public Accounts Committee. It has introduced administrative arrangements for challenge and review of formal decisions, and complaints systems including an independent reviewer. In respect of its administrative actions it comes within the investigative powers of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The Cabinet Office Strategy Unit's review of charity law and regulation recommended that it should continue to operate at arms' length from Ministers, with a modernised statement of purpose and accountability framework. The Government accepted these recommendations ("Charities and Not-for-Profits: A Modern Legal Framework", July 2003) and they will be reflected in the draft Charities Bill that will be published in the current Session.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

418 c714-5W;418 c734-5W; 155608

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Charities Charity Commission Hospitals Regulation Cheadle Royal Hospital

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk