Supplementary to question No. 7 in the
Legislative Council on 24 July 1985.
Dr. IP:- Sir, I can't agree more with the statements made by the Secretary,
particularly his last one. But what are the existing requirements which an
organisation has to follow when soliciting contributions for charitable
purposes outside those previously described by him, like those outside
public entertainment, lotteries and flag day; and is the Government happy
with those existing requirements?
Secretary for Administrative Services and Information:- Sir, as I explained
there are stringent conditions attached to applications for lottery and other
entertainments and I am afraid I do not have the answers and I would prefer
to provide a written answer.
Dr. IP: - Sir, under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance, organisations
can apply for tax exemption and if approved, can be put on the list of
charitable institutions and trusts of a public character as he has stated.
How does the Inland Revenue Department assess the applications and to what
extent and how often are these tax exempted organisations being reviewed
and how many of these approved organisations were deleted from the list last
year?
His Excellency the President:- I think that is another question, Dr. IP.
Dr. IP:- May I rephrase my question to that following on to the main answer?
His Excellency the President:- Please do.
Dr.
IP: - Because one of the organisations which cheated the public used
your name in vain, would Government consider that all fund raising activities,
other than those for flag days, should also be required to submit audited
accounts to the Director of Social Welfare ?