BRETHREN CHURCHES AND THE CHARITIES COMMISSION

Early day motion 398, tabled 12 July 2012 by Robert Halfon (Conservative). Signed by 78 members.

That this House notes the decision of the Charity Commission to revoke the charitable status of a trust that is part of the Brethren Christian Church, which does a lot of good work for charity and community groups; believes that this is an extremely important test case because it has widespread implications for all Christian charitable trusts; and therefore calls on the Government and all parliamentarians to express their belief to the Charities Commission that Christian groups who are serving the community have the right to charitable status and should not be subject to politically correct bias.

Signatures by party: Conservative 32, Labour 26, DUP 7, Liberal Democrat 6, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Alliance 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.