§ MR. AINSLIE (Lancashire, N., Lonsdale)asked Mr. Attorney General, If it is a fact that, under Jervis's Act (11 & 12 Vict. c. 43, s. 11), summonses against a defaulter in the case of Friendly Societies must be taken out within six months, and that, in cases where the audit does not take place within six months, such a defaulter may escape; and, if so, if he will consider how an amendment of the law may, in this respect, be effected without unnecessary delay?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER) (Isle of Wight)In answer to the hon. Member, I beg to say that it is the fact that under Jervis's Act a summons must in the case of proceedings under the Friendly Societies Acts be taken out within six months of the misconduct complained of. It is possible that, in consequence, defaulters may in some cases thereby be enabled to escape punishment; but the remedy by indictment would, I conceive, in most instances be still open to a prosecutor. It is worthy of consideration whether the law in respect to offences of this description does not require amendment, and I will give my most careful consideration to the matter.