§ Mr. JOYCEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the position of the Irish Provident Assurance Company; if this company 2428 are doing business under their own name, or have they become amalgamated with any other company; has any rule of court been made with regard to them; and whether care will be taken that the interests of policy holders who have money invested in this company will be safeguarded in the event of amalgamation or otherwise?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEA society named the Irish Provident Friendly Assurance Society was registered in Ireland under the Friendly Societies Act, 1896. This society transferred its engagements to a company incorporated under the Companies Acts, named the London and Provincial Insurance Company, Limited, by Special Resolution, which was registered at the Central Office of the Registry of Friendly Societies on 19th August, 1910, in pursuance of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, Section 71 and 75, and Treasury Regulation 47, and the registry of the society was accordingly cancelled on 22nd August, 1910. The society has thus ceased to exist, and the Registrar of Friendly Societies has no information as to the subsequent transactions of the company. I would suggest that any further inquiries should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. JOYCEHas any inquiry been made of the policy-holders who hold policies and have paid their money into this company to see that their interests are safeguarded?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEWill the hon. Gentleman put that down on the Paper?
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether it is not a fact that agents of this company received money from policy-holders under false pretences?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI think that all that had better be put on the Paper.