§ MR. CROOKS () WoolwichTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury, how many workmen's clubs are registered under the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act and the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, respectively; whether such registration is voluntary and involves the making of the rules and balance sheets of such clubs accessible to the public; and whether such balance sheets indicate an expenditure of less than 9d. per week in such clubs upon intoxicating drink.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I am informed that the number of working men's clubs registered under the Friendly Societies Act is 1,071. Working men's clubs are not registered as such under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, but there are a number of societies incorporated under those Acts whose object is to carry on the business of club proprietors. It is probable that a good many carry on the business of working men's clubs, some of them, perhaps, more than one club. Every society, both under the Friendly Societies Act and the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, is bound by statute to supply a copy of its rules to every person on demand on payment of not exceeding 1s., also to supply gratuitously a copy of its last annual balance sheet to every member or person interested in the funds, but not to the public. There are no statistics available from which I can answer the last part of the Question.