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Charities Bill [Lords]

I reassure my hon. Friend that the coverage is supplementary to that of belief in one God. Unfortunately, as I recognise the eloquent case made by the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon and the problems faced by humanist organisations, those are the reasons why we cannot accept his amendments. He has referred to difficulties that rationalist organisations have had in dealing with the Charity Commission, but I do not think that that derives from uncertainty that organisations promoting rationalist beliefs can qualify for charitable status under the law. I have discussed the matter with the commission, as it has been raised in the other place as well as by him. Let me put on the record that the commission accepts that it needs to acquire a greater understanding of the basis of rationalist and other non-religious belief. It has agreed to engage in a consultation process with the relevant representative organisations in parallel with discussions now taking place with religious bodies. I hope that that explains why we feel unable to accept the amendment. I also hope that it demonstrates the seriousness of the commission’s intent to ensure equal treatment and respect for humanist organisations.