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Charities (Disclosure of Revenue and Customs Information to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland) Regulations 2010

My Lords, I welcome the Minister’s words. As she pointed out, we have to be aware that an overhaul of the system in Northern Ireland is taking place. I understand that until now there has been no register of charities. Given that the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, announced the appointment of the six commissioners—in particular the chief commissioner, Tom McGrath—on 1 June last year, these are early days. We are seeing the introduction of a regulatory framework for the charitable sector in Northern Ireland, which has always been accepted as an exceedingly valuable dimension of the work that is carried on there. However, the Northern Ireland Charity Commission has only recently been established. In fact, when one checks the internet, there is but a temporary information page, which I accessed a short time ago. There is an ongoing consultation on public benefit guidance that has sought the views of employees, trustees, volunteers and members of the public, mainly in meetings last September and October. Comments were invited by 27 November, and I imagine the work continues in assessing the responses. Therefore my first question is: how does this all fit into the timetable which is now envisaged in this key year—2010—in the evolution of the new charity commission? Secondly, to what extent are there similar provisions in England, Wales and Scotland? The Minister said that there is a comparison to be made. Are we in fact judging like with like and to what extent are these powers identical to those powers that already exist? Thirdly, the consultation on public benefit guidance may well affect the attitude of those involved in the administration of the 7,500 HMRC-recognised charities operating in Northern Ireland. Therefore, is it not premature to ask the HMRC to supply this information before one even knows what is to be the test of public benefit? We are now looking at the birth of a new system: to what extent is this information necessary as the new regulators look forward to setting up a reasonably democratic and identifiable system of registration for the first time? It would be helpful if the Minister could answer such questions. We know from our debates on Section 72 of the Charities Act 2006 that the disclosure of information under that section would apply only when the body was established. When will that occur? I know that the six commissioners were announced less than a year ago, but to what extent does the Minister regard the system as evolving, or is it already fixed in mind? Provided that it mirrors the restrictions on the disclosure of such information to and from other UK charity regulators, I cannot see any objection to the powers, which are obviously part and parcel of the need to ensure an adequate system. Those of us with knowledge of the charitable sector are already aware of the tremendous bureaucracy involved in it whereas there used not to be any at all; there was hardly any form-filling. I am sure that I speak for all noble Lords in saying that I do not want the charitable sector, which forms such a vital part of life in Northern Ireland, to be overburdened by regulatory requirements and intensive bureaucracy. I am looking for reassurances from the Minister. However, otherwise, one of course welcomes and accepts the need for the regulations.