§ MR. SNOWDENI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board 727 if his attention has been called to the expulsion of certain members of the Loyal Cranmer Orange Friendly Society, Blackburn, for having supported a particular candidate at the late general election; and, seeing that in the registered rules of such society there is no power under which the society can expel members and deprive them of benefits for political actions, and as such expelled members have suffered considerable financial loss by the expulsion, will he say if the Registrar General of Friendly Societies proposes to take any steps to secure the readmission of the expelled members.
§ MR. McKENNAMy attention has not been called to the expulsion of certain members of the Loyal Cranmer Orange Friendly Society. If any member has any dispute with the society or its committee or officers, Rule 26 of the rules of the society gives power for such dispute to be referred to justices pursuant to the Friendly Societies Act. The Chief Registrar has no power to interfere.
§ MR. SNOWDENI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General if his attention has been called to the expulsion of certain Members of the Loyal Cranmer Friendly Society, Blackburn, for having, at the late General Election, supported a particular candidate, and as under the registered rules of the society there is nothing to justify such expulsion, will he state if he proposes to take any action in the matter.
§ THE SOLICITOR - GENERAL (Sir W. ROBSON,) South ShieldsI am not aware that the attention of the Attorney-General has been called to this matter, but if it is suggested that an offence has been committed in relation to the facts referred to by the hon. Member, and those facts are laid before the Director of Public Prosecutions, they will be duly considered.