§ MR. J. P. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the indignation that prevails throughout the country over the proposal to turn the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society into a limited company, and in consequence of the fact that this society has an enormous membership in the great 122 towns of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales who are unable, on the score of distance and expense, to attend any meeting of the society held in London, he will take steps, either by meetings of members in the respective towns, or by delegates selected by such meetings, or by ballot to satisfy himself that such a change is desired by the majority of the members of the society.
§ The following questions on the same subject also appeared on the paper:—
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the differences that have arisen between the members of the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society with regard to its conversion into a limited liability company, and if pending the settlement of the matter by the High Court of Justice, he will take care that no steps are taken by the Registry of Friendly Societies to prejudice either one side or the other.
§ MR. SNOWDEN (Burnley)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the petition lodged with the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies by members of the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society, for an inquiry into the management of that society, also the petition lodged asking for a meeting to be held under the direction of the Chief Registrar, in place of the meeting held in Exeter Hall on September 19th last, to consider the question of the society being turned into a joint stock company; what decisions have been come to in regard to these petitions; and if he is in a position to give an assurance that the registry of the society will not be revoked until full inquiry has been made and until all the adult members have in some way had an opportunity of expressing their opinions on the matter.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. MCKENNA, Monmouthshire, N.)My attention has been frequently called to this matter, and very conflicting allegations on the subject have been made to me. The question is now the subject of litigation, and so long as it is sub judice no decision will be taken as to whether the registration of the society is to be cancelled.