---

Charities Bill [HL]

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 30. This amendment relates to the charity tribunal. Section 29 of the Charities Act 1993, as substituted by Clause 24 of the Bill, allows trustees formally to seek the Charity Commission’s advice on any matter relating to their duties as trustees or to the proper administration of their charity. Section 29 also provides trustees with a form of protection; if they follow the commission’s advice, they will be taken as having acted in accordance with their responsibilities. This protection is, however, not available where a court decision has been made on the matter in question, or where court proceedings are pending to obtain a decision. Amendment No. 26 corrects an oversight on our part by putting tribunal decisions on the same footing as court decisions in that respect. Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 30.—(Lord Bassam of Brighton.) On Question, Motion agreed to. 31: Clause 27, page 29, line 17, after ““(2)””, insert ““above”””” 32: Clause 28, page 30, line 15, leave out ““Secretary of State”” and insert ““Minister””