Hospice must have answers

11:30am Sunday 16th November 2008

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A HAMPSHIRE charity hit hard by the collapse of Icelandic banks must be given answers by the Government, Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller has said.

Naomi House Children’s Hospice had £5.7million tied up in failed Icelandic bank Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander.

The Government has offered to support private individuals’ deposits, but extended no such guarantee to charitable savings.

Last month, Mrs Miller wrote to Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to seek clarification of the charity’s position, but claims the Government has still not offered any response.

She said: “Naomi House provides an invaluable service to children and young people. The money tied up in this financial mess has a vital role in ensuring this service can continue into the future.”

Mrs Miller said she asked Mr Darling whether Naomi House could be supported as a retail depositor or designated a smaller charity, which the Government has pledged to support.

She added: “This silence needs to end – Naomi House needs answers.”