THEFT OF CHARITY CLOTHING DONATIONS

Early day motion 731, tabled 27 January 2010 by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 56 members.

That this House condemns the theft of clothing donations left on doorsteps for charity collections; calls on the Government to ensure that police forces tackle the serious and organised nature of the criminal gangs responsible; expresses concern over possible consequent losses to the Exchequer and calls on HM Revenue and Customs to investigate what criminals are doing with the money; notes that research by Clothes Aid and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimates losses to theft at between 14,000 and 24,000 tonnes per annum with a value of between £7 million and £12 million; calls on the Government to facilitate a Standards Summit to bring charities, collection agents and Government agencies together to discuss ways to stamp out bogus collectors and companies that mislead the public; and further calls for more robust enforcement powers for Trading Standards, Scambusters and other agencies to regulate all those involved in textile collections, whether charities or commercial operators.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 15, Conservative 4, DUP 4, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.