§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked the President of the Board of Trade, If his attention has been called to several failures of Building Societies, after an eminent London actuary had certified to their solvency; and, whether he will consider whether a Government audit might be applied in order to protect the public from such disasters?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINI think this Question would have been better put to the Home Secretary, because the Registrar 245 of Friendly Societies is under the Department of the Home Office; but if he wishes for my personal opinion, I am bound to say that, as at present advised, I do not think it desirable to extend Government interference further than at present. So far as I know at present, the Government does not interfere to protect investments, and I doubt whether it would be wise to incur the responsibility in regard to these societies.