Statute Law Repeals - Law Commission - Ministry of Justice

1.10 The Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge Act of 1767 9 provided for the running of
the Hospital by a corporate body of governors with power to own land and enter
into contracts. The Addenbrooke’s Hospital Scheme Confirmation Act 1903, 10
confirming a provisional 1902 Charity Commission scheme, amended the 1767
Act by making further provision for the administration of the Hospital and
establishing a general committee of governors. Both these Acts have been
unnecessary since the inception of the National Health Service.
GROUP 3 – MAGDALEN HOSPITAL
1.11 In 1758 the philanthropist Robert Dingley founded a charitable society to protect
women from a life of prostitution. He established a home, which became known
as the Magdalen Hospital, for the reception, maintenance and employment of
former prostitutes. Originally based in Whitechapel in east London, the Hospital
moved to Southwark in 1769 before settling in Streatham in 1866.
1.12 The charity still exists today. Although the Hospital itself closed in 1966, the
charity was re-constituted in 1973 and re-named as the Magdalen Hospital Trust.
The objects of the Trust are to promote the welfare of young persons (of either
gender) under 25 who are exposed to moral danger or who are prevented from
providing for themselves or their children proper accommodation, maintenance or
training. 11
1.13 The four enactments that were passed to support the charity have become
obsolete because they relate to issues that are no longer relevant to the charity
today. In particular they relate to a corporate structure of the charity that no
longer exists in its original form, and to the provision of residential support that no
longer exists.
1.14 The Magdalen Hospital, London Act of 1769 12 provided for the establishment of
the Hospital and for a Corporation and governors to administer it. The Magdalen
Hospital Amendment Act 1848 13 made changes to the regulation and
management of the Hospital. The Magdalen Hospital Amendment Act 1866 14
authorised the sale of the Hospital’s premises in Southwark to enable a move to
a new site. Finally the Magdalen Hospital Charity Scheme Confirmation Act
1937 15 confirmed a Charity Commission scheme to make further changes to the
management of the Hospital.
9 7 Geo.3 c.99.
10 3 Edw.7 c.clv.
11 The Trust meets these objects not by offering residential support but by providing grants to
support the education and training of young persons and to promote research into the
causes of delinquency among young persons.
12 9 Geo.3 c.31.
13 11 & 12 Vict. c.xvii.
14 29 & 30 Vict. c.cxxx.
15 1 Edw.8 & 1 Geo.6 c.xxiv.
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