asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation what consultations there have been between his Department and voluntary organisations regarding the allocation of money collected by registered charities for development work overseas.

There are consultations from time to time about specific projects or questions; but there has been no approach to my Department about overall allocation.

The Minister will be aware that there is grave anxiety felt by some of the leading voluntary bodies in this country and that a statement was made yesterday in another place. Am I right in thinking that the meaning of that statement is that there is in fact no serious obstacle to the allocation of charitably subscribed money to development projects overseas, provided that the constituent body collecting the money makes plain that contributions might be used in such a way?

This is very largely a matter for the jurisdiction of the court, and the interpretation of trust deeds and terms of reference, and so I feel that it would be wrong for me to express a definite opinion. I think that the House will have noticed that some noble Lords in another place were reasonably encouraged by what my noble Friend said on this matter yesterday.