---

Charities Bill [HL]

I accepted the Minister’s strictures on Amendment No. 35, but I thought that those on Amendment No. 36 were slightly weaker. To say that this is usual practice or best practice on one side and have statutory requirements on the other is not a fair balance. Clearly, we do not want to be in a position where we prejudice charitable assets. However, in the situation that the Minister raises with us—that a set of trustees is playing fast and loose with charitable assets—if the communication has to be made within seven days of an appointment, and within those seven days the receiver manager has not secured the assets, he has not done his job very well. We had the opportunity to include seven days to button things down and after that period the individuals involved had to be told. I do not find the Minister’s answer very satisfactory and we may want to return to the amendment at a later date. In the mean time, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 20 [Power to give specific directions for protection of charity]: