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Proceeding contribution from Martin Horwood (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 25 October 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill on Charities Bill (HL).


Charities Bill [Lords]

Absolutely. A few others might have had difficulty in getting through under the formulation, ““physical or mental exertion””. Synchronised swimming, which is an Olympic sport, certainly involves physical exertion. Curling and, I understand from the Commonwealth games website, 10-pin bowling would unambiguously be brought into the Bill by the hon. Gentleman’s amendment, which is spreading the net rather wide. I say to the right hon. Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer) that I am sure that croquet is already included under ““mental exertion””. I speak with some authority because the Cheltenham croquet club has played host in recent years to the world croquet championships, which I attended. I was disappointed not to see the Deputy Prime Minister there—I gather that he is a fan of the sport. Great mental exertion was in evidence on that occasion, not least because two games are sometimes played simultaneously on the same lawn. That is mind boggling. I support the group of amendments. I hope that the Under-Secretary will make it clear in any directions that he gives the Charity Commission on the substance of amendments Nos. 123 to 125 that humanist and secular charities will no longer have to jump through the hoops that the Charity Commission has specified in the past. I therefore also hope that, in future, there will be a more level playing field between those organisations and religious charities.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
450 c1565 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Disability Appeals Charities Audit Company law Companies Charity Commission Charitable donations Health Finance Land Gun sports Human rights Fundraising Private education Property transfer Property Schools Religion Regulation Sports Trusts Wills Humanism Chess
Legislation
Charities Bill (HL) 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk