---

Charities Act 2006

My Lords, I will be very brief. I am grateful for the contributions made to this debate and I am sure that we shall return to the matter of process and the question of a more elegant solution to some of these issues. I thank the noble Baroness for her assurance that time will be given for the friends’ organisations connected to these institutions to make sure that they have no problems between now and 1 June. If they read this debate and listen to the Charity Commission, that should give them plenty of time. I am extremely grateful for that. I entirely agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Pitkeathley, about the criteria. The only slight disagreement that I have with her is that I think that the Charity Commission fulfils every one of them excellently. This is why, as the House will recognise, I am a supporter of the removal of exemption and of the regulation of all charities moving to the Charity Commission so that there is no doubt left. My noble friend is entirely right on that point. It may be said that there will be no further intervention or interference by Secretaries of State, but all my past experience tells me that they cannot resist it. Motion not moved.