§ Sir WILFRID LAWSONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish, through the Registrar of Friendly Societies, a Return of the information available under the Friendly Societies Act of 1896, which provides that every society or branch must submit its full title and address to the Registrar before it can enjoy the rights and privileges conferred by registration, showing the number of branches of friendly societies having quarters on licensed premises?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)I am informed that the tendency of all friendly societies at the present time is to avoid having the registered office at a public 1912 house, but that in many districts in the country no other place for meeting can be found. The only source from which the number of societies with quarters on licensed premises can be calculated is Appendix N. to the Chief Registrar's Report for 1906; and I would point out that the information is not up-to-date and that the nature of a society's quarters cannot always be accurately inferred from its address. If, however, the hon. Member thinks that the facts which are available would be of service to him, I would ask him to communicate direct with the Chief Registrar, who will be happy to give directions for taking out the figures, though the labour involved would be considerable.