§ MR. ANDERSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Commissioners on Friendly and Benefit Building Societies just issued, in which they describe the Registrar's Office in Scotland as "in a state of confusion," and characterise the Registrar of Friendly Societies for Scotland as "a mere waste book of the most insufficient description and wretchedly kept;" whether he is aware that a Return ordered by this House in last Session, on the subject of Co-operative and Industrial Societies in Scotland, has not yet been presented; and, whether he has taken any steps to have the office in question put in a state of efficiency?
MR. BRUCEsaid, in reply, that the appointment of the Registrar in Scotland was vested in the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt. He had called their attention to this matter, and he had no doubt they would consider it. With regard to the Return referred to, the Registrar had been reminded on two occasions that it was not forthcoming, and in each case the plea made in reply had been that of ill-health.