DCH 90 Frederick and Joan Lavender
Memorandum from Mr and Mrs
Lavender
June 15, 2004
Francine Graham
Joint Committee on the Draft Charities
Bill
Scrutiny Unit Room GIO
7 Millbank
SWIP 35A
Dear Francine Graham
We understand that your Committee is
reviewing the charitable status of independent schools. We would
ask that you bring our views to the Committee.
It Is our experience of the Harpur
Trust in Bedford that their provision is made primarily for the
education of an already privileged section of children whose parents
are able to afford the fees.
Much publicity is given locally to
certain 'benefits' accruing to the community but on closer examination
it is clear that these are very small (currently under 1.5% of
the Trust's turnover) when compared to the large income.
In no sense can this present system
of exclusive schooling be deemed a charity. The Harpur Trust does
not confer sufficient public benefit to warrant such nomenclature.
It would be remiss of us if we did
not record, today, our objection to the claim to charitable status.
A suitable change in the law in this respect is overdue.
Yours sincerely,
Joan Lavender (Mrs)
Frederick Lavender.
|
