THE final stage in the plan to compile a complete register of all charities in England and Wales comes into force this week with the extension of the registration requirements to local charities operating in Cumberland, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Westmorland and Yorkshire.
The registration programme is particularly useful to charities who seek the 50 per cent relief from rates provided by the 1951 Rating and Valuation Act. It has been timed to allow all charities the opportunity of being registered by next April, when the new valuation lists take effect.
Response from trustees so far had been "rather slow", a spokes man for the charity commission said this week. It is thought that many trustees may still be unaware of their duty to apply for registration. The requirement to register can be enforced by court proceedings.
Religious charities have been exempted from registration until 1964, but this does not apply to denominational charities for secular purposes, such as moral welfare societies, charities for social welfare or recreation. and funds for the poor of any church or congregation.
All such charities should get in touch with the Commissioners at 14, Ryder Street, S.W.1.