§ The Board of Trade may, on the application of any unregistered trade union originally established more than twenty years before the commencement of this Act, extend to the trade union the exemption conferred by this Act on registered trade unions.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLmoved to add, at the end of the Clause, the words, "and may on the application of an unregistered friendly society extend to the society the exemption conferred by this Act on registered friendly societies if it appears to the Board, after consulting the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, that the society is one to which it is inexpedient that the provisions of this Act should apply."
There is some danger that the comprehensive wording of Clause 1 might go further than it was intended to go. It is not intended, for instance, that the provisions of this Bill should apply to the village slate club, but as it stands it might be held to apply. It appears to be difficult to define what a slate club is. I am 284 advised that the best way out of the difficulty is to leave a discretion with the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. HAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to lay down any rule which would bring any company within the terms of the exemption, or is each case to be taken on its merits? Because I conceive that various difficulties may arise unless it is known that the Board of Trade will follow a certain course of action.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo. The object of the Amendment is to enable us to exempt a village slate club from being considered an insurance club. The course suggested is only to be taken after consultation with the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies.
§ Amendment agreeed to.
§ Clause, as Amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.