§ MR. CORRANCEsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What steps he proposes to take relative to the Registration of Friendly Societies, in consequence of the withdrawal of the Bill for the Registration of Friendly Societies?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, the office of Registrar of Friendly Societies at this moment was held by a temporary occupant. He was not able to say what would be the ultimate fate of that question. It must, he thought, now pass into the hands of his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who would have to deal with that subject, in conjunction with others of a cognate character, next Session. As soon as his right hon. Friend had made up his mind as to the course that it was proper to take in the matter, he should be quite prepared to act, his province being limited merely to the filling up of that office. If his right hon. Friend agreed with the opinion he had expressed early in the Session, that the office might properly be discontinued, the gentleman who now held it would resign. If, on the other hand, his right hon. Friend thought it ought to be continued in its original form, then a new appointment would be made. But no change would be made until his right hon. Friend had time to consider the subject.