§ VISCOUNT MORPETH (Birmingham, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what are the reasons that have caused the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies to insist on a valuation in the case of dividing societies, thus reversing what has been the practice in the past.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HOBHOUSE, Bristol, E.)The noble Lord is mistaken in thinking that valuation in the case of dividing societies is insisted upon. He no doubt has in mind the fee of £2 covering a quinquennial period amounting to 8s. per annum, which is now charged to these societies for exemption from quinquennial valuation and which is intended to cover the time and trouble involved in examining the claims of societies to such exemption.
§ VISCOUNT MORPETHIs it not the case that in the past dividing societies have been exempted from valuation merely on application, and that the fee of £2 now imposed is found by them to be very onerous and a source of great difficulty in applying for exemption?
§ MR. HOBHOUSEI do not think so. The sum of 8s. cannot be considered a very onerous charge.
§ VISCOUNT MORPETHHas it not been represented to the hon. Gentleman by persons who are interested that it is in fact a very heavy burden upon them?
§ MR. HOBHOUSENo, Sir. The only information I have was contained in a letter written to the Treasury a year ago.