HC Deb 23 August 1887 vol 319 cc1521-2
MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Royal Liver Friendly Society has made a Return to the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, in which the following sums have been debited to the benefit fund instead of to the management fund, namely— Sundry charges on account of investments, bank, commission, bookage, &c, £49 15s. 0d.; Syndicate expenses. &c, late inquiry, per list B, £2,037 9s. 4d.; Legal expenses on account of investments, per list C, £1,763 16s. 5½d.; Expenditure on Bristol meeting, new Rules, &c, per list D, £3,526 17s. 1d.; whether the Rules of the Society state that 40 per cent of all contributions are to go to the Management Fund, and 60 per cent to the Benefit Fund, and that the above debits are directly contrary to such rules; and, whether the Treasury will instruct the Registrar to prosecute the Committee of Management, or to suspend the registry of the Society?

MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)

said, he was desired to ask whether the amounts referred to were charged to the Benefit Fund in compliance with the directions given by the Actuary of the Society, and were incurred in connection with the Benefit Fund?

THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)

I would rather not answer the hon. Member's Question without Notice. I am informed that the first and second paragraphs of the Question on the Paper correctly set forth the facts. With reference to the third paragraph, we have to say that the Registrar has already called the attention of the Committee of Management to the Return; has required the corrections to be made; and has notified them that if the corrections are not made, he will exercise the powers conferred upon him by the Act, and will direct the Return to be registered with his observations thereon. If the Committee of Management finally refuse to make the corrections he will then consider what other proceedings he ought to take.

In further reply to Mr. BRADLAUGH,

MR. JACKSON

said, the Registrar had full power to act—and he had, in fact, acted—without consultation with the Treasury.

MR. BRADLAUGH

asked, whether it was not a fact that the Registrar did not feel himself at liberty to act without the consent of the Treasury; and whether, if the facts turned out to be as alleged in the Question, the Treasury would give him sufficient authority to defend the interests of these poor people?

MR. JACKSON

The Treasury will raise no objection to the Registrar taking such action as, in his judgment, is necessary.