§ MR. J. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that in licensed premises in many manufacturing towns women's and children's death dividing clubs are held; whether they are registered or controlled in any way; whether the members can enforce their claims at law; and whether the Board of Trade will cause inquiry to be made into the matter.
§ MR. HOBHOUSEThe Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is impossible to say whether any such dividing societies are registered without knowing their name, but an inspection of the rules would at once show in each case whether a certificate of registry is attached. Every registered society or club must have a certificate of the Registrar of Friendly Societies attached to its rules. If the society be registered, the members can enforce their claims according to its rules; if it is not registered, their remedy is under the common law. I do not think the existence of these societies calls for an inquiry, at any rate at present.
§ MR. J. MACVEAGHIf these death dividing clubs are not registered and members have no redress at law, cannot something be done to prevent the existence of such clubs?
§ MR. HOBHOUSEThey only come under the control of the Registrar of Friendly Societies if they are registered. If they are not registered, the only remedy is under the common law.