§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that at representative meetings of friendly societies resolutions have been passed demanding that the opinion of the members of friendly societies as a whole should be ascertained, rather than that of a few of the leaders of a few of the larger societies, he will cause the National Insurance Bill, at the conclusion of the Report stage, to be printed and circulated among the friendly societies, in order that they may take a ballot of their members in regard to a measure which vitally affects their interests, before the Third Reading of the Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The Government have not the same distrust of the representative character of the House of Commons as the hon. Member appears to feel, and they are not prepared to initiate the experiment of consulting separately by referendum the interests affected by a projected legislative measure.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEIf it can be proved to the Prime Minister by representations from the friendly societies that they have distrust in the House, will he further consider the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir.