§ Mr. LEES SMITHasked the Secretary to the Treasury what was the total membership on the latest date for which the figures are available, and also the corresponding figures for 1910 or 1911, of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, the Ancient Order of Foresters, and each of the other large friendly societies having 629W over 100,000 members; and, if possible, the estimated total friendly society membership in the United Kingdom at such dates?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAt 31st December, 1910, the date of the last complete abstract of the Annual Returns of Registered Friendly Societies (including societies with branches) there were upon the register five societies with branches and four ordinary friendly societies which had over 100,000 members at that date. The membership of the societies in the United Kingdom in comparison with that for the year 1911, where available, was as follows:—
Societies with Branches. Membership at 31st Dec. 1910. Membership at 31st Dec., 1911. Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity 759,488 — Ancient Order of Foresters 621,375 — Independent Order of Rechabites, Salford Unity 320,739 — Order of the Sons of Temperance 170,755 — Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, Ashton Unity 165,262 —
Ordinary Friendly Societies. Membership at 31st Dec, 1910. Membership at 31st Dec. 1911. Hearts of Oak Benefit, Society 303,483 304,599 National Deposit Friendly Society 219,381 231,192 Northumberland and Durham Miners' Permanent Belief Fund Friendly Society 202,109 206,867 Rational Association Friendly Society 120,118 118,809 The aggregate membership of friendly societies and societies with branches at 31st December, 1910, was 6,710,383. I fear that later figures than those given under the respective headings above are not available.