§ SIR EDWARD WATKINasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If Her Majesty's Government is prepared to introduce a general Bill giving powers to Joint Stock Companies to establish provident savings banks, and also provident funds for the superannuation of aged and infirm persons employed, powers analogous to those already given by special Clauses in private Acts of Parliament to some of the Railway Companies?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, it was not the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to carry into effect the objects mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. He hoped, however, the House would allow him to ask them not to form a judgment on this matter, on account of what might seem to be unfavourable, but was really unavoidable delay, until they had seen the Report of the Friendly Societies Commis- 1095 sion, in which the whole of this subject was thoroughly discussed.